Is Mast Grounded to keel Bolts

[tranquil]

A Hunter owner told me that the mast should be grounded to the keelbolts. The only reference I could find in the Owners Manual on Page 66 :
factory installed metal tanks, 100 V systems and major components are grounded to the engine. The engine is grounded via the shaft and propeller in the water. The purpose of internal grounding is for static charge control and accidental shorts in the internal systems not to provide lightning protection.

Is the C350 mast grounded to the keel bolts? To anything?

Thanks
Teri

[Olivia Mae]

Since it's a deck stepped mast, as far as I know, it is not grounded to anything. If you're concerned with lightning strikes, it would take a massive cable to tie it to the keel, and it's questionable whether that would really give you any protection. I'm also pretty sure your Hunter friend's boat isn't tied to the keel either if it's deck stepped.

[tranquil]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! I was confused about this. There are still those in my generation who take advantage of SFBO (Single Female Boat Owners) and I appreciate the words of truth and wisdom. The owners on this site have helped me immensely through the years! Thanks again
Teri

[Ken Rollins]

My boat (CKARMA IV) took a very strong direct lightning strike to the mast in 2019. It wiped out the electronics, the batteries, the alternator, blew up the bilge pump and float switch, went out through the keel and the prop. Total repair cost was over $56,000. The mast is not grounded. A 37 foot Island Packet in my Marina took a similar hit in 2017 and had even more damage.
Ken Rollins

[tranquil]

THANK YOU KEN!
I am sorry to hear of your experience and hope it does not happen again. Impressed that a similar situation occurred with a different vendors' boat and the Catalina seemed to better withstand more extensive damage.
Thank you again

Teri