We were on a chartered 34 foot sailboat a year ago right now on Florida's Gulf coast when we saw a thunderstorm coming. We were on day three of what was supposed to be a week long charter. As the storm got closer, we headed below and made sure not to touch any of the electrical componants of the boat or the mast. Suddenly, while watching the electrical panel, we heard a massive bang and I saw the volt meter light up, then watched smoke start pouring from behind the electrical panel. Luckily, I was able to open the panel and isolate the smoking wiring. The needle lay in the bottom of the guage, fried. The masthead was hit, and in fact the windvane was blown off the top of the mast, the electrical system was fried and the radio, gps and boat's air conditioning controls were also killed. When we called the charter base, (by cell phone) we were told that even though this was not our fault, we had forfeited the security deposit, and would need to post another to continue with the charter, after they repaired the boat. We were not about to do this, so we made it in to the charter base and continued our vacation by car. We fought- and lost, with the charter company, to get back the remainder of our charter fee. An experience we'll all remember.