grounding a c26

[foltz_d]

How do you know if the c26 is grounded? What should I look for?Is the ground plate under the starboard sied storage area? How do you know if it is connected to the mast?

[Gus]

fixed keel or swing keel? For a fixed keel check aft and fore the keel for damage (outside and the bilge), and for a swing keel, well I ground mine all the time

Gus

[ronc98]

unless they added grounding later on the c-26 did not come stock with it. Part of my refit I replaced the compression post with an aluminum post and grounded the mast to that. On the bottom on the boat I am going to install 12x12 plate and ground the compression post to that.

Grounding is like rolling the dice. I know many people that just use jumper cables connected to the shrouds and then place the other end in the water. It is going to take the path of least resistance to get to the water. Just want to hope that does not mean it is has to go through the bottom of a boat during its travel.

Some other people use a supression system that is basically a SS brush looking device mounted to the top of the mast. They use these types of things on power towers.

[foltz_d]

How did you ground yours?

[Gus]

ohh lighting grounding do'h!! I hear the one with the jumper cables too, but I don't anything myself (other than having insurance to cover the loss in case the boat sinks)

Gus

[EmergencyExit]

We also had a bit of discussion here that might be of interest



http://www.chryslersailors.com/discussi ... =lightning

[Windward]

for our trip to Pamlico Sound, but added copper bar to the end to increase conductivity. Having those large aluminum chainplate braces across from each other in the cabin seemed like a cross-cabin bolt waiting to happen.

Purchased the best 4 gauge cables that WallyWorld had to offer and some 1/4" x 4" flat copper bar. I use two jumper clamps for each side, one for the upper shroud and one for the aft lower. These have 5 or 6 feet of cable attached, to which I've swaged and soldered a large lug. I cut a piece of copper bar 2 feet long, drilled and tapped two 1/4" holes, then bolted the lugs to the bar.

For and aft (forestay and backstay) I used only one cable, terminated to a 12" piece of copper.

At anchor I put out all four. If I were sailing or motoring I'd consider putting out the shroud and possibly backstay units, then living with the nasty "clunk! clunk!" as they bounced off the hull from time to time.

This is certainly not as good as bonding a large plate of copper to the hull and bonding the mast, all shrouds and the lifeline stanchions to it , but I hope better than nothing, which was the default config.

Jeff

[foltz_d]

The articles really help us; especially the discussion of it. The boat was grounded at on time becase we have the necessary equipment at the stern of the boat. The gentleman who we bought the boat from lived on for a few years and he disconneted so now we want to connect it again. We also looked at SS brushes. We might get one of those too. We are cruising to the keys in two years so we are trying to get ready. We are putting in a new galley. Anybody bought one of those marine kettle barbques yet? We want to get one of those too; keep the smoke and grease outside. Thanks guys for the help you gave us!!