My steel wheel

[fallguy1000]

I've got a recycled steel steering wheel from the 1974 Starfire. It has reconditioned teak spokes and is pretty amazing.

But.

In a lightening storm; it is terrifying to stand under the tower holding the wheel.

Should I change it?

[Jaysen]

A LOT of sail boats have that wheel. Or all steel wheels. I can’t imagine you’re at more risk than a giant, floating lightning rod.

[piperdown]

I don't sail or have a boat that's finished but I subscribe to quite a few sailing channels on youtube (between here and the channels I live vicariously) and basically ditto what Jaysen said.
Every single sail boat that I have seen or watched has a metal wheel.

[fallguy1000]

A LOT of sail boats have that wheel. Or all steel wheels. I can’t imagine you’re at more risk than a giant, floating lightning rod.

I did not enjoy holding the wheel under the vessels hoghest point.

[rick berrey]

I was pouring concrete and lightning hit the building next to us , it jumped to the crane and got those of us that had hands on the bucket , not good when it happened , or the next day when I couldn't bend my arm . After that we tied a rope on the handles of our concrete buckets in case it got cloudy , i don't know if it would've helped , but it made us feel better when pouring concrete in a thunder storm . You could make some wood grips to fit on the wheel , or a knob like some people put on a steering wheel in the old days , and you may feel better when the weather gets bad . But the truth is if lightning hits anywhere on your boat you are not going to feel good that day or the next . The two options I have always taken in a boat when lightning is to either drop anchor and get as low as I can , or haul ass and get out of it as fast as I can , I have never liked either option .

[Aripeka Angler]

Florida has some pretty good lighting in the summer. Been on an aluminum hull cat boat when lightning was popping the water close enough to see steam rising. I was working in a SunTrust bank in Temple Terrace, Florida in about July, 2002. No front door and the BR window at the drive up wasn’t in yet. A friggen massive lightning bolt went through the front door opening and out the BR window hitting a live oak tree in the rear of the building. There were two guys working above the ceiling grid on step ladders who were unharmed. My thought process is a steel wheel is ok, if it’s your time to check out then it’s your time to check out. I have a steel wheel on both my boats…

[OrangeQuest]

A LOT of sail boats have that wheel. Or all steel wheels. I can’t imagine you’re at more risk than a giant, floating lightning rod.

I did not enjoy holding the wheel under the vessels hoghest point.

You could also keep a thick pair of rubber gloves onboard.

[Aripeka Angler]

A LOT of sail boats have that wheel. Or all steel wheels. I can’t imagine you’re at more risk than a giant, floating lightning rod.

I did not enjoy holding the wheel under the vessels hoghest point.

You could also keep a thick pair of rubber gloves onboard.

The flash is also a great test of one’s reflexes. Perfect time to release the wheel and grab a cocktail.

[cape man]

The steering has gone out on No Excuse. When looking at how to remove the helm I discovered where Larry had grounded the helm and the T top to the main ground bus bar. Does this help?

[Aripeka Angler]

The steering has gone out on No Excuse. When looking at how to remove the helm I discovered where Larry had grounded the helm and the T top to the main ground bus bar. Does this help?

I seriously doubt the ground to the battery would make much difference if the t-top or helm gets zapped by lightning and you are holding on to either one. The lightning is going to try to get to the water. If it goes through you, it’s still going to try to get to the water.