Hey Kurt,
1, 2, 3 exactly.
Once we discussed that here - and I took seriously an internet lightning expert's recommendation to connect the chainplates and the mast plate inside the boat to fat naked copper wires in big radius curves to a couple big bronze bolts that go through the hull and clamp a bodacious chunk of bronze to the bottom - as so-called 'ground'. I remember the plate for some reason had to have SQUARE EDGES - couldn't be faired to the hull or slanted.
Until I remembered the irrationality of 10 million volts of lightning which might just go ahead blow out the bottom of the boat.
And why the hell would you invite that mother inside?
Somebody came up with a poorman's solution that I've never heard better.
When lightning threatens: clip a battery cable to each stay and shroud and drop the end in the water. We'd have an octopus of eight convenient grounds the enemy could choose. One or every leg.
Enhancements might include a lashing for the clips to keep them secure to the turnbuckles. A flat metal plate soldered to the ends, maybe 4"X4", in the water.
And a canvas bag to keep them ready in the locker.
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