Episode 17 · July 1, 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

Struck by Lightning: A Family, a Catamaran, and the Day Everything Changed

Chris Fair went from our trainings to living aboard with his family in just over a year, then got struck by lightning during a Coast Guard emergency. He walks through the damage, the rescue, and how staying calm and prepared got them through.

In this episode

  • Going from training to cruising with the family
  • The storm, the strike, and the emergency main drop
  • The damage: furlers, a rudder blown through, fried electronics
  • Why training and an adaptable plan matter most

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From cruisers who've done the miles

Bluewater Cruising is a complete support system for people serious about living aboard and cruising long term. We are working captains and real cruisers, not classroom instructors, covering the whole path: choosing the right boat, setting it up, building the skills, and a community that has crossed oceans together. Everything you need to go from dreaming to doing, all under one roof.