Hi David,
The Pelican stricker is a rigid tube that spans the gap between the apex of the forestay bridle wires and the mid region of the spinnaker pole. In alignment it becomes an extension of the forestay down to the spinnaker pole. It carries the vertical load, compression in this tube, from the spinnaker pole up to the forestay bridle wires where the load then travels down the bridle wires to the hull. This mechanical arrangement of spinnaker pole support and spinnaker load absorbtion has the least impact on hull loading of any spinnaker pole support system I have seen. It also let's you position the pole heightwise anywhere you want it by varying the length of the Pelican Stricker Tube.
Good Sailing,
Bill