When I raced Solings on Lake Michigan (back in the last century!) when we were caught out in a storm we would strip the main and hang the (aluminum) boom overboard and drag in the water. Our theory was the connection at the goose neck would make a ground from the tip of the mast to the water. Glad to report we never had to prove the theory - or - maybe it did prove the theory and we didn't know?!?

Another tip, put all hand held electronics (cell phones, GPS, radios, etc.) in the oven or microwave. That is a natural Farady Cage (look it up.)