Is the dolphin striker really needed or is it mostly cosmetic if the bobstay is sufficiently tightened? What advantages does a dolphin striker/martingale give a boat?
What, you ask, is a Dolphin Striker? don't feel bad, i had one on my boat for almost a year and didn't know the technical term 'dolphin striker' until very recently-
here we go:
a short, perpendicular spar under the bowsprit, used for strengthening the bowsprit and jib boom against the force of the headstays, also known as a martingale
Yesterday, while balancing my Formosa's Mast's and tuning the rigging the 'loosened' dolphin striker plummeted to the depths ...hey, i tried diving for it but the water was very murky and very cold...lake superior in May is still COLD.
While searching for other formosa owners online in order to get a measurement for replacement, i came across several other formosa 41's that did not have a dolphin striker.
got me thinking, maybe i don't even need it as long as i can tension the bobstay.
input?, advice?, ..anything please...
Max
Duluth, MN
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Max Mariner
Duluth, MN
lostpearl.blogspot.com
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