One simply disappeared and left a small mound of slag attached to the coax. The other SS whip antenna melted halfway down like a candle stick with wax drops down its side.

I think all panels large enough to be meaningful on a boat have internal diodes. Most panels are mounted so that lightning can't/won't strike them directly. As for voltage back up the wiring, controllers are specifically designed to prevent that and will generally turn to smoke before it happens.

Where your panels damaged in your strike?

Mark