Keith,



I'm not certain that I agree that grounding your mast makes you less likely to attract lightning. Lightning is simply trying to reach ground and you're providing a closer and slightly more direct path by grounding the mast. True, lightning rods were not designed to attract lightning in that they were designed to give lightning an alternative, and more desirable, path to ground than through whatever structure they were placed on, but it is my understanding that they do attract more lightning strikes (i.e. why does it always work when lightning researchers send a small rocket into the sky with a copper wire attached to ground?)



I've also heard tale of improperly grounded monohulls being struck by lightning (while on the water either moored or underway) and the lightning splintering out at the base of the mast blasting countless tiny holes in the bottom of the hull causing the boats to take on water and/or sink.



Keep in mind however - I never proclaimed to always be right!