Hey Greg,
I am sure you already know this, but just to be certain; Make sure that you put the cradle (for lack of a better term) on the dolphin striker to set the end of the bolt in so that is does not slip off to the side casuing your beam to take the full load again...When I replaced my mast step and ball they actually had me seat the cradle and bolt with caulking (not a lot of strength to be sure but I guess enough to help it from slipping..)
Cheers,
Dave
(very new to boat ownership and admitedly ignorant)