About Lightning storms - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

cowboybill · 11-18-2010, 07:51 AM

Hey, short while back, a discussion came out about lightning on the ocean.
I spoke to several people that would know this stuff from Ham Radio Club.
Many of them are very techy guys, elec engineers, technicians, etc.

They all said nothing good would come from being out in the water on a Kayak in a lightning storm!

Just confirming for the FYI crowd...

Cowboybill

Jzo · 11-18-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboybill

They all said nothing good would come from being out in the water on a Kayak in a lightning storm!
Cowboybill

Make sense, thx for sharing.

Gino · 11-18-2010, 08:23 AM

doesnt take all those people to figure it out!

I wouldnt want to be anywhere but inside my house during a lightening storm. your chances winning the lottery improve otherwise.

Jimmyz123 · 11-18-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboybill

Hey, short while back, a discussion came out about lightning on the ocean.
I spoke to several people that would know this stuff from Ham Radio Club.
Many of them are very techy guys, elec engineers, technicians, etc.

They all said nothing good would come from being out in the water on a Kayak in a lightning storm!

Just confirming for the FYI crowd...

Cowboybill

Here's my Vulcan take on this. Logic would tell you that if you are sitting on a major conductor with a rod in your hand connecting you to that conductor sitting in a plastic boat, you are now part of that conductor. ZAPP!

Lightning and fishing do not go together.

lterrero · 11-18-2010, 08:36 AM

If you get caught in one of those, make sure to turn all your electrical devices off, lay your poles down & pray

scoop · 11-18-2010, 11:36 AM

There are not many insulators at 100 million volts

old_rookie · 11-18-2010, 12:34 PM

Just don't let your feet dangle in the water and you should be fine.

DavidT · 11-18-2010, 07:42 PM

Chi Chi Rodriguez used to say that if you are caught on the golf course with lightning around hold up a 1 iron. Because even God can't hit a 1 iron.

ikrash · 11-18-2010, 11:33 PM

chances of you getting hit are about the same as walking down a regular street....lighting doesnt necessarily hit the highest point, it hits the path of least resistance and a graphite rod sticking 5 feet higher than the sea level isnt that much less resistance than hitting the ocean 2 feet in front of you...think of a right triangle and the distance of the hypotenuse...also, the resistance of salt water is not as high as one would think..a mile's worth of distance (not a whole lot in terms of the usual distance that a lightning storm is away from you..ie..count the seconds, sound travels 300m/s and light 3x10^8 approx every 7 seconds is a km) wouldnt even register on a voltmeter....imo

electrical engineers any opinions?

11-18-2010, 07:51 AM	#1
cowboybill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, CA Posts: 103	About Lightning storms Hey, short while back, a discussion came out about lightning on the ocean. I spoke to several people that would know this stuff from Ham Radio Club. Many of them are very techy guys, elec engineers, technicians, etc. They all said nothing good would come from being out in the water on a Kayak in a lightning storm! Just confirming for the FYI crowd... Cowboybill

11-18-2010, 08:23 AM	#3
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 520	doesnt take all those people to figure it out! I wouldnt want to be anywhere but inside my house during a lightening storm. your chances winning the lottery improve otherwise.

11-18-2010, 08:36 AM	#5
lterrero Leo Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: La Jolla, CA Posts: 482	If you get caught in one of those, make sure to turn all your electrical devices off, lay your poles down & pray

11-18-2010, 11:36 AM	#6
scoop Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 60	There are not many insulators at 100 million volts

11-18-2010, 12:34 PM	#7
old_rookie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Santee Posts: 904	Just don't let your feet dangle in the water and you should be fine.

11-18-2010, 07:42 PM	#8
DavidT Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 44	Chi Chi Rodriguez used to say that if you are caught on the golf course with lightning around hold up a 1 iron. Because even God can't hit a 1 iron.

11-18-2010, 11:33 PM	#9
ikrash Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 40	chances of you getting hit are about the same as walking down a regular street....lighting doesnt necessarily hit the highest point, it hits the path of least resistance and a graphite rod sticking 5 feet higher than the sea level isnt that much less resistance than hitting the ocean 2 feet in front of you...think of a right triangle and the distance of the hypotenuse...also, the resistance of salt water is not as high as one would think..a mile's worth of distance (not a whole lot in terms of the usual distance that a lightning storm is away from you..ie..count the seconds, sound travels 300m/s and light 3x10^8 approx every 7 seconds is a km) wouldnt even register on a voltmeter....imo electrical engineers any opinions?