By Aaron
Finally, we have found a 100% effective way to prevent lightning strikes on sailboats. We have researched the wire brush dissipaters, lightning rods, and all manner of equipment being sold to boaters. But I’ve stumbled across a secret the marine equipment manufacturers don’t want you to know about. A few months ago, the crew of SV Knee Deep gave me a couple Lego guys. Since I don’t have any other Legos, I wasn’t entirely sure what to do with them. Then it hit me. A simple, undeniable truth that should have been obvious for decades.
FACT: There have been no recorded incidents of sailboats with Lego guys glued to the masthead being struck by lightning. EVER.
After this epiphany, Nicole hauled me up the mast, and I installed our two Lego guys. One is a cop, the other appears to be a sailor or criminal.
The naysayers will tell you that Lego guys are not effective at preventing lighting strikes. They’ll say things like, “That’s like saying attaching a Barbie to the leading edge of your keel will prevent groundings.” But where is their research?
After 4 days of research and several lightning storms passing directly overhead without incident, I can conclusively say that the Lego guys are 100% effective at preventing lightning strikes.
Since our previous VHF antenna was vaporized by lightning, I decided the first Lego guy would be most effective if he was standing at the base of the new antenna and holding onto it. The other Lego guy is guarding the anemometer, although I suspect one Lego guy at the masthead is sufficient to protect the entire vessel. Traditionally, Lego guys installed at the masthead should be facing the starboard side so I made sure to epoxy them in the correct orientation.
I’m so glad we no longer have to worry about being struck! Many thanks to Mickey and JP for helping us solve this problem for good.
Awesome. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThe captain and crew of Knee Deep will be installing our Lego lightening prevention system as soon as we touch down in El Salvador. Maybe you, Mickey and JP should do an infomercial!! I see millions of dollars in the making! See you soon!
ReplyDeleteTotally, we'll call it a "Marine" Lego guy and sell it at a huge profit!
DeleteAs a marine electrician and someone well educated on the subject of lightning strike prevention for sailboats I find only one flaw with this blog post: you thought the LEGO criminal might be a sailor, giving criminals everywhere a bad name.
ReplyDeleteTrue, my bad. But I'm glad that you can appreciate the solid science at work here.
DeleteHave you been drinking?
ReplyDeleteWell, there's not much else to do!
DeleteBrilliant!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jason, it was empowering to take matters into our own hands and solve the problem. I'll be submitting this to Practical Sailor to confirm my findings.
DeleteI wish I'd known this before we were struck in Panama back in 2009. Simple, apparently effective, and great discussion fodder for the kids. Unless things go horribly wrong...
ReplyDeleteSometimes the most obvious answers are the most elusive. I'll certainly update if anything goes amiss :)
DeleteHaha ... we're all safe now!
ReplyDeleteYep, safety first! One less thing to worry about :)
DeleteAs they seem to have their eyes open do they also cover COLREGS Rule 5;
ReplyDeleteEvery vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision? ;-)
Jeez I didn't even think of that - excellent! Maybe I should have had them facing opposite directions...
DeleteI think I'll just go ahead and put Barbie on my keel and see what happens. I will keep you posted.....
DeleteAaron - Love the LEGO-lookouts, I may have to purloin that idea for lightning prevention on my own boat...
ReplyDeleteOn an unrelated note however... I really like the look of your masthead / anchor light combination... did you guys build that, or was it purchased from somewhere? Am I correct in assuming it was also replaced after the lightning strike, contributing to its brand-new appearance? I have been looking for a new light, and that seems like just the ticket! thanks!
Hi Stephen, the more people we get installing the Lego guys the more evidence we'll have that's it works! Thanks for your comment on the masthead light...I built the light fixture. It's an acrylic tube with a PVC base. The top and the pieces the lights are mounted to are Star Board. The lights inside are a Bebi Anchor light with photo diode and the Bebi Volasiga steaming light. They were no longer functional after the lightning strike. We were very happy with their performance so I took apart the fixture and replaced the LEDs with the same models. When we bought the boat it had an anchor/steaming light combo installed that is no longer manufactured. The fixture needed replacing due to cracked lenses and corroded terminals and I wanted something with LED lights and a photo sensor on the anchor light. Most steaming lights these days are installed mid way up the mast, but that would be a real pain for us to wire up. Unfortunately I couldn't find a fixture that met our requirements so I made sure the configuration was legal and built my own.
DeleteAaron - I'll report back on the success of our Lego guys once they are installed :).
DeleteThanks for the information on the lights - I think those may be just the thing for my boat. I have an 1976 O'day 27, its just a weekender, and not nearly as nice looking as your Hans Christian, but it sails just fine. We currently have our masthead light midway up the front of the mast, but it gets beat up by the main halyard (all our halyards are external to the mast). And it doesn't work...
Thanks again for the information, and enjoy your vacation in Seattle! Be looking forward to more updates! Big decision... East or West?
Referencing Knee Deep's and Aaron's comments, re: the new start up Marine Lego venture, please be aware that this system should only work up until the first lightening storm strikes. At this point, it should self destruct. Also, please make sure that it will take at least 5 phone calls or emails to obtain technical support. It cannot hold the term "Marine" unless these items are satisfied.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you were an attorney!
DeleteWOW!! what a cool bit of info! and just to think, all those years I spent running Toys R Us store, I never knew that we were carring marine suppllies as well! we are back in Santa Rosalia, and have some internet for the first time in a month...it has been a blast getting caught up with your adventures. you guys do an awesome job with your blog! keep it up.
ReplyDeleteTom & Jeanne
SV Eagle
Hi guys, how bout you meet up with us in the South Pacific? It'd be fun to share some rum drinks with you down there. And bring Lefty. He owes me money.
DeleteWhat!!! did that little stinker sneak out with out paying you!! Man you gotta watch him.... next time we are together, I will hold him down while you give him a good slapping around.
Deletewe dont know about the South Pacific yet....still havent made the Mexican main land yet. LOL
Tom & Jeanne
A worthy addition to the marine electonics class. Delighted to see you having fun in paradise as we get our first winter blast.
ReplyDeleteBill Ray
Thanks Bill, try to stay warm while we try to cool off!
DeleteWell done, Brolaw!
ReplyDeleteThanks - one less thing to worry about.
DeleteWhat a great idea! The Legos are a nice touch as well!
ReplyDeleteI emailed the Lego company. They politely thanked me for letting them know Lego guys could be used for this purpose.
DeleteI love the Legos!!! That's my favorite part but I love the idea as well.
ReplyDeleteThe idea was just staring me in the face for so long - I'm surprised it took a lightning strike for us to realize that we could have prevented it with such a simple precaution.
DeleteBrilliant! Where can I buy a Lego man? I can't even buy a potato here at turtle cay marina.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have seen them online - you can buy entire bags of Lego guys on Amazon and have them shipped in. It might be a bit costly, but cheaper than a lightning strike I assure you.
DeleteFantastic. Wonder if it works with the Lego Astronauts as well. We have lots of those. /Linda on SY Mary
ReplyDeleteYes! They will work perfectly, just make sure they have their helmet on. It's good you have a large supply - I'm not sure of the exact timing but I think they need to be replaced at the masthead every two years to maintain their lightning protection freshness.
DeleteOutstanding advice we could've use the Lego men last night we were hit during a storm and boot Key Harbor Marathon Florida pretty scary stuff fortunately we suffered some minor electronic component damage and a compressor that was destroyed all else is well it could've been a lot worse
ReplyDeleteOh man, sorry to hear this although I'm glad the damage was minor. Better get some Lego guys ASAP! I just went aloft before our passage to New Zealand and they are still up there working perfectly - ZERO strikes since installation. Also Lego uses some kind amazing composite that doesn't seem to deteriorate in the tropical sun.
ReplyDeleteWe hope you can get everything fixed up soon!
Thank you for providing the great information on a Lightning Protection SystemThe pictorial representation is very helpful for every new user.
ReplyDelete