no wonder it struck there.

to worry about. Very low chance of getting hit.

It is spectacular, though, having your own floating lightning rod. Once upon a time, lightning would run down the mast and blow holes through the hull, but now there's protection from that. Many actually consider sailboats safer due to a cool Faraday cage called the "cone of protection" set up by the mast and grounding plates in the hull.

A 20 ft mast parked next to a 50 ft mast is at as much risk as any other boat in the marina. Fiberglass is a good insulator and all things being equal boats are pretty safe BUT dust, dirt and oxidation weaken that insularity. An old ragged out motor yacht is at greater risk than a sparkling new 40 ft sailboat with a 50' mast parked next to it. The key issue is the conductivity of the boat.

I subscribe to the Black Box philosophy. When a sailor is born the Gods that watch over us build a black box and everytime s/he does something right they put a chip in it. Check the fuel filter on the auxiliary power? Get a chip. Check the weather before casting off? Get a chip. Inspect the rigging for fraying? Get a chip. Make sure the boat is clean with polished topsides and scrubbed deck? Get a chip.

They do this because some day, no matter how good or careful you are, life will go sideways and there is nothing to do but go bare poles, close all the hatches and wait it out in the dark. The Gods will empty the box and if there are enough chips there, they let you live.

Besides, lightning is as capricious as a playful cat. It will do what lightning will do . . .

Let it be a warning to the others.