dolphin striker rod

I recently took my dolphin strkier apart in order to replace a bent post. Evidently the nut on the starboard hull was crossthreaded and I messed the threads up pretty bad taking the nut off. I really do not want to replace the rod as there is nothing else wrong with it. My thoughts are:
1. Try to chase the threads with a tap and die and hope there is enough to get a new nut threaded on.

2. Take it to a machine shop and let them cut new threads a size smaller and add a washer.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

A perfect plan in the correct order. Buy a new nut and skip the tapping part.

The threads on the 17 and 18 dolphin strikers are fine threads, so I suspect the 16 is the same. Just something to consider when chasing the damaged threads and replacing the nut. Using a coarse die or nut will cause more damage.

It also may be possible to offset the rod slightly to one side so that the nut on the "bad" side ends up on good threads. You may also want to use double nuts on the bad side to provide extra strength against the treads pulling out.

Finally, keep in mind that the dolpin striker is probably the most critical structral member of the whole boat. If it fails, your front crossbar is likely to collapse. So if you think the strength may be compromised, don't use it.

sm

Stainless steel likes to gall. Lube the threads with a dab of anti seize. I often use a tiny dab of grease. Or if in a pinch, pull the dipstick out of your car, get a little oil, and wipe a dab on the threads.

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+1 for Anti-Seize.

I don't dare put stainless on stainless (or brass, or aluminium) without it. It's cheap and can save you a bucket of grief.

Also +1 on on replacing the bar if you can't get the thread back to at least 90%. It's just too important to skimp on.

Rob.

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Thanks for th info everybody! I carried the rod to a machine shop and the man was able to chase the threads and they came out looking extremly good. Not perfect but without holding it very close to my eye I cannot tell that there was anything wrong. Friendly guy as he did not even charge me for such a small job. The nut holds on the thread very well.

I have not reassembled the ds assembly yet as I am waiting on the new post to come in as well as new monnel rivets to reattatch the mast base.

Thanks Jeremy at surf city for your video on rivets, it helped me alot!

I will definately go with antisieze or lube on the threads when I reassemble, just to save future grief. I think whatever caused the post to bend also resulted in the threads becoming boogered. I don't know how that happened, I bought the boat that way. Didn't know it was bent until someone told me.