Rusty,

You're in for a lot of work if you try it that way. Hobie and Murrays sells an add-on dolphin striker that is really simple to add on. 4 rivets and you're done.

I have converted a 14 to turbo and used the factory dolphin striker, which is solid like a Hobie 16. In fact, the rod is the same as a 16. I had to drill a hole in the 14 mast step and thread it. I then figured about where I wanted it and drilled a big hole for the rod to go through. I made it a little bigger than the rod so I could move it around. I made the bottom hole the same size as the rod to make it stable. I had the metal wire from a 16, so I straightened it, then rebent it to fit the 14 frame and chased the ends to make threads for the bolts. This process took all day. The add-on one may not be as cool as the solid one, but it is WAY easier to install.