A near (30 yards off the starboard bow) wiped out all solid-state electronics on my 37' cutter. The good news was that the vessel was unattended in its slip. The only device not damaged or destroyed was a radar, lying on a bunk, as yet unattached. A high-end boombox sitting on a shelf had its CD player blown. The alternator and battery charger were destroyed, etc. This was the result of EMP (electro magnetic pulse.) This is what most shipboard naval electronics are protected against. I don't know about current technology, but small mini computers sat in safe like enclosures with lifting eyes on top. Each item on the printed circuit boards was wrapped in tantalatium (sp?) foil. All to protect from the EMP of a nuclear burst. Having said all this, I believe that redundancy is good for the ocean voyager intent upon maintaining functionality in the face of breakdowns, but I doubt that today's consumer electronics could withstand the vessel's being struck by lightning or even a powerful near strike. BTW, lightning does strike twice - maybe not on the same day - but in the same place. Ron Rogers ----- Original Message ----- > I have two ..... >Lightning would have to strike twice to get me! In the context of risk management, I'll accept this > one...

=I have two laptops, individual GPS units for them, and separate power =supplies as well as a hand held GPS. Yeah, I remember both the Whistler and RDF, old technology for sure, but lightning is even older and more primitive technology. It appears that you're unfamiliar with the characteristics of a really good lightning strike and it's ability to pick off all electronics on a boat, not just those plugged in and operating. The only protection from a really wicked EMP would be to have your gear in a Faraday chamber aboard. Rick ---------------------------------------------------------- Rick the Mouseherder - nh2f Westsail 32 Xapic, Hull #438 Annapolis, MD A small boat and a suitcase full of money beats a 40 footer tied to the Bank. Creative graphic solutions in vinyl for your boat lettering & designs http://www.mouseherder.com Visit our Westsail 32 Xapic http://www.mouseherder.com/xapic The Westsail Owners Assn. Homepage http://www.westsail.org