Replace the Dolphin Striker Rod on a Nacra for $16.75

You can order a new rod for $60, plus shipping, or you can make one for $16-$25. I live in Canada & the shipping for single items can get expensive, so I made one.
I went to Metal Supermarkets, & bought the appropriate length of 9/16" stainless steel 304 rod, $16.75
My neighbor has a machine shop & cut the threads, 2 beer.
If you don't have a handy neighbor, take it to any competent machine/metalworking shop. Bring a nut so they cut the proper threads, they are fine thread. As long as the nuts thread on easily, & you cut enough threads (bring your old rod along)you're golden. They can also clean up the ends of the rod, & square them off if the vendor did a crappy job of cutting the stock.
This job can be done with the Cat assembled. Just be sure to cover the tramp/hulls if you use an angle grinder to cut the DS rod. Flying along with all those cool looking sparks are many bits of sharp debris. They WILL damage your tramp/hulls if the stream is allowed contact. I found this out many years ago while grinding with my car parked to close to the worksite. It sandblasted through the paint, & the door looked like sh*t until the day I sold the car.

Date: 05/08/2010

Owner: Edchris177

Size: 8 items

DS1

Undo one end of the V brace. If the bolt inside the beam turns, get your wife or a kid with skinny arms to reach inside with an open end 1/2" wrench.

Date: 04/04/2010

DS2

Turn the top nut as far up,(towards the ball) as you can. Don't force it, you'll wreck the threads. Cut rod between nut & crossbeam. It is very easy with an angle grinder & cutoff wheel, use a hacksaw if you have to. Stainless 304 is not much hard

Date: 04/04/2010

DS3

The bent stick is better than a screwdriver, as it won't fall out.

Date: 04/04/2010

DS4

This is why you undid one end of the V brace. The compression tube inside makes for a small tolerance. You cannot line up the new DS with the brace in place.

Date: 04/04/2010

DS5

With one end of V brace undone, new DS goes in easily.

Date: 04/04/2010

DS6

It is now easy to line up the internal compression tube as you insert DS. Note how much extra time it will take if you drop the compression tube. No ones arms are long enough to maneuver the tube taped to a stick while looking in the hole.

Date: 04/04/2010

DS7

At least one bolt will probably turn while securing the V brace. Find a kid or obliging girlfriend whose arm will fit inside the beam.

Date: 04/04/2010

DS8

Preload the beam. Find the specs & use a mason string stretched from end to end, or do as MUMMP suggested to me. "Turn the bottom nut up til it contacts the beam, then turn it up another 3/8 inch". His method is way faster, so simple a cav

Date: 04/04/2010