I'm having some issues with the dolphin striker rod...
"Bad News" first.

1. The screw (or bolt?) that (I think) is supposed to be at the base of the rod is not there... If there ever was one it has corroded away.

2. The rod itself is not adjustable. I have tried to turn it using a large crescent wrench on the flat part. No luck... After searching the forums I have noticed a couple of references to the rod "freezing" to the mast base plate (or whatever you call that thing with the half round plastic mast rotator thingee)... Apparently this is a PITA problem to fix.

Now the "Good News"

1. Dolphin striker itself seems to be in good shape.

2. The only time the rod has jumped out of the "holder" on the rod was when I dropped the mast by accident when I was learning to step the mast (last year)...

3. The boat has been sailing just fine without "fixing the problem".

Questions...

1. Should I worry about the lack of a screw at the base?

2. Should I worry about the lack of any adjustment?...

3. Should I duct tape the base of the rod to the dolphin striker and let that take care of the "issue"?...

4. Should I just replace the mast base plate and the striker rod? This would help with stepping the mast, since I have a really old boat without the mast stepping stuff added...

Any advice on this topic would be appreciated... Thanks

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Mike
1975 Prindle restoration project "Sanchah"
Retired Teacher
Newbie Sailor
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The first thing to check is the tension of the dolphin striker (the flat bar part) it should only have about 1/4 inch of play with the mast up. If that is okay then I think you will be safe. If there is a lot of movement then I would replace the mast base plate and the dolphin striker bar. Make sure to use tef gel on the threads if you do replace. I have tried large pipe wrenchs and still was not able to adjust the bar. You could also look for a good used front crossbar.

Murrays has the replacement screw for the bottom, I had a similar issue with a frozen DS and flex in the aluminum piece. I drilled out the rivets took the mast base and rod to the bench vice and hit it with corrosion x daily for about a week. I got it to move a tiny bit then hit it with a blowtorch, gently since the casting is AL. Then it freed up. After all that, the AL band was still loose so I added some SS washers to the bracket to make the DS a bit longer and secured it with the SS Screw.

hull flier makes a valid point worth noting... test for flex with the mast up...otherwise you may find a frustrating way to spend an afternoon

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Bob Miller
1983 P16 Sail # 7312
"Miller Time" A work in progress; out of the water for 16 years
Barnegat Bay NJ
Beach Cat Lesson #1 - A free cat isn't
Find more Prindles on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/173120656090532/
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Components that make up the dolphin striker system on the Prindle:-

1) Mast Step Casting - sits on the front beam



http://www.murrays.com/mm…_Code=C-PF&Store_Code=MS

2) Dolphin Striker Rod - inserts up through front beam and screws into mast casting



http://www.murrays.com/mm…-2004&Category_Code=C-PF

3) Dolphin Striker Bar - the flat bar under front beam

4) Dolphin Striker Casting - attaches to flat bar



http://www.murrays.com/mm…_Code=C-PF&Store_Code=MS

5) Screw - holds rod (2), to casting (4)



http://www.murrays.com/mm…-2915&Category_Code=C-PF

6) Half Round Mast Bearing - screws onto top of rod



http://www.murrays.com/mm…_Code=C-PF&Store_Code=MS

The rod (2) screws into the mast step casting (1) and as has been discussed, can rust freeze there, as Bob mentioned, can be a PITA to loosen. The foot of the rod (2) slots into the casting (4) attached to the flat bar, to increase tension on flat bar, rod is adjusted out after loosening screw. If you have the time and tools, do as Bob did, if you have extra cash, replace mast step casting and rod, if extra tension is needed, add SS washers to rod at the threaded end as Bob did. Check bolts holding Dolphin Striker (flat) Bar on either end. If the rod (2) has no screw (5) on the bottom to hold it to the casting (4) you can drill and tap a thread, also a PITA.

HTH
R



Edited by the-renovator on Apr 04, 2014 - 08:40 AM.

replaced mine with all new from murrays...only because the stops for the mast rotation on mast and crossbar were well worn to the point I was afraid the mast would ramp off of the base. new ds rod didn't have hole in bottom to attach screw to so I did without...until the big wind day. then after replacing the crossbar and new mast base parts, I drilled and tapped the ds rod this time. bottom line...if your new/old rod/mast base set up keeps the strap to within a 1/4" flex, your cool. no need to adjust the frozen parts if they are right. just for giggles, inspect the crossbar where the double bolts attach to the strap...small cracks start there after your ds rod jumps out of the hole because you didn't drill and tap the set screw







I would tighten the ds rod each day and it worked until big Wednesday!



Edited by coastrat on Apr 06, 2014 - 07:40 PM.

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bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
prindle 16- "BLUE RIBBON"
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