Hello, just new to this forum. I was wondering if anyone had some information about surge protectors for lightning strikes. Do they work? Can anyone recommend a brand?
DDW has a pretty good summary. I will add just a little, since I do design work for lightning protection, (but not boats).
As with every other atmospheric event, lightning comes in sizes. You will not protect against the largest strikes. But, there is a lot you can do to limit and even eliminate damage with many strikes and near misses.
"surge protection" is a 2nd or even 3rd level of protection; not primary. First, you must divert 99% of the energy to a safe place. In a plastic boat, that is challenging, but good progress can still be made with bonding and smart discharge points.
There was done a very interesting mitigation to a N47, I think it was, that included hull mounted discharges just above the water line.
My last boat, which had a fishing tower made of aluminum, I did do quite a bit of bonding, and some surge protection, even on the 12V systems. It never took a direct hit, but some of my personal learnings were as a result of a direct hit to my house.
I have heard on my VHF, large boats calling for help due to a hit; I do try to do some stuff to prevent catastrophic damage to all comm, nav, hull, and propulsion.