Brett, you say "seem to have a nut on the inside". I don't know your boat at all, but I can tell you that on mine, what is inside the beam is not a nut but a stainless steel sleeve. If it is dislodged while removing the DS you would only need to tape it temporarily to a stick of some kind to hold it in place while you insert the striker. Fiddly, yes, (although in my case it has always remained in position), but not as difficult as having to tighten a nut inside there.

Mark.