What is the "Dolphin Striker" for?

First thing you have learned eric is don't drink and blog at the same time. We are not all as funny as we think we are - to some people - welcome aboard and learn - and have fun - most of all have fun

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The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

Welcome Eric.
Its all good here but sometimes people get bored and creative. Feel free to ask any questions just be ready for 50 % smart Elic comments.

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

what hobie18rich meant to say was "smart Alec not Elic (or Aleck)" and perhaps it's just a typo. This would be the case when someone is being insulting. ie Q: "is it OK if I smoke" A: "why? are you on fire?" - that's "smart alec(k)y.

I don't see anything smart alecky about the responses here. Funny play on words, cultural observations and actual practical advice - mine for example - the dolphin striker IS the best thing to grab when being picked up or when getting a boat back over. Nobody is being insulting.

The actual physical theory of the dolphin striker is pretty evident if you understand the mathematics of the strength of "triangles"-which has been featured on Sesame Street (the triangle has three sides and three angles which are immutable and therefore the strength of all structures). There are a couple of really excellent responses at the beginning of this discussion that describe the purpose of the striker in beautiful detail.

After those responses... well... all heck broke loose. It's all good. That's the way some of us roll. Gotta admit. The name is a little silly. I have sailed with dolphins between my hulls, and been scared to be sailing alongside and with god's creature as big as my boat, but happy to say, I have never "struck" one.

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The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

Another Newbie question here. I have a 1981 14 with a Turbo jib and no dolphin striker. It has lasted this long, should/can I retrofit it with a dolphin striker or not worry about it?

Depends on how long it's had the jib and where it's sailed.

Lake sailing with no waves is substantially less stressful than sailing in the ocean or Great Lakes.

Like I said before, it's the trapeze that puts most of the strain on the front crossbar, not the jib.