Sailing in a thunderstorm: here’s what you need to pay attention to.

During your sailing trip, you naturally want to enjoy the nice weather. But what do you do if it suddenly starts to thunder? We’ll tell you what you can do to have a safe sailing trip during severe weather. Are you curious about the tips? Then keep reading.

Is sailing in a thunderstorm really dangerous?

Even on the hottest summer days, a shower can come out of nowhere. This can be unpleasant and stressful, especially when a shower escalates into a downpour or severe weather. Depending on your location and the boat you’re sailing, this can put you in danger. 

The power of water

All types of waters have currents. This will quickly increase when you sail far from the shore. Fortunately, many boats can withstand a bit of roughness due to their strong materials! When it thunders, the water will soon no longer be a pleasant place for fun activities. 

Some people find the idea of swimming during a thunderstorm somewhat euphoric. This is often romanticized in certain films. However, we strongly advise against swimming during a thunderstorm. Why? There is a high chance that lightning will strike the water. And well, we all know what happens when an electrical cable comes into contact with a full bathtub.

Safety on board

In both remote and local waters, there is a chance that your boat will be struck by lightning. Are you sailing in a metal boat with an enclosed cabin? Then seek shelter and keep your sliding roof, hatches, and ventilation openings closed. It’s also very important not to stick any arms or legs outside.

Is your boat mostly made of wood or plastic? Then lightning can indeed be more dangerous. The electrical waves always find their way to the water. This happens when your wooden boat has a metal mast, for example. This can cause the hull of your boat to split. To prevent a scenario like this, our flat-bottomed boats and motorboats have wooden masts. You will also find all the necessary supplies for critical situations on board. Think of a:

1. Radio.
2. VHF radio.
3. Depth sounder.
4. Life buoy.
5. Fire extinguisher.
6. Supply of emergency flares.
7. Ship’s horn.

Are there other boats in the area where you are sailing? Try to keep as much distance from them as possible. A lightning strike can cause damage up to 10 meters from the strike point. If you sail too close to another boat, your boat will likely also get damaged. 

Lightning can also affect electrical equipment. Therefore, it’s handy to bring a metal box to store items like mobile phones. Are you sailing with a sailboat? Then lower your sails. This reduces the risk of fire and also helps during strong gusts of wind.

Our flat-bottomed boats

Thunderstorm on the water! What now? 

Every skipper experiences it at some point: a thunderstorm on the water. You sail from a dry area towards a downpour. What should you, as a skipper, take into account? And how do you keep your boat under control? Here’s what you need to do during bad weather:

1. Maintain course.
2. Seek shelter in the cabin (if available).
3. Keep the engine running.
4. Keep your distance from the mast. 

In normal situations, it’s important to show other sailors what you plan to do. When it thunders, the current of the water can become stronger. Therefore, pay extra attention to your course to maintain control.

Stay inside for your safety if possible. Besides thunderstorms, you also have to deal with unpredictable high waves or gusts of wind. 

Are you on a motorboat? Then let the engine run smoothly. This way, you’ll move forward faster and prevent the engine from failing to start. In a sailboat, it’s wise to keep your distance from the mast, as there is a higher chance of a lightning strike here.  

Preparing for a “dry” sailing trip

Fortunately, nowadays we don’t need a crystal ball to predict the weather. When planning your sailing trip, it’s important to take the weather conditions into account in advance. A handy site for this is Windy.com. Here you can check the following:

1. The direction of the wind.
2. How hard it will blow.
3. The weather for the coming hours. 

While sailing, it’s useful to check the weather regularly. This way, you can quickly take measures. This is crucial when a thunderstorm suddenly arises. Finally, the golden tip is: don’t stress too much. By staying calm, everything will go much smoother!

After reading this article, you’ll know what to do during a sailing trip with a thunderstorm. Do you need more sailing tips? Then also read our other blogs. For questions and advice, feel free to contact us.