Mary,

I remember seeing an article in a magazine that covered lightning protection for moored mono-hull sailboats. It consisted of properly grounding the mast to the water to prevent the splintering of the electricity when it reached the base of the mast. This splintering would pierce the bottom of the hull in many, many tiny places making countless pin hole leaks. I can't remember what the article recommended but it didn't have anything to do with safety.

Certainly those sailing around the world and in the trans oceanic races have ways they deal with lightning.