Wouter's right - Although I had a 5.2 with a knee knocker I never removed it. The idea behind that strut is to prevent the beams from being able to rotate so structurally it doesn't do anything. I've heard of several cases where folks drilled through the beam strap to install a small rivet or stainless screw. Personally, this idea made me nervous since those beam straps are not terribly thick or wide. Future revisions had an aluminum plate inside the hull just under the beam that would receive a bolt from the inside of the beam. I did get used to that bar and I actually missed it when I first went to a 6.0NA - it is a convenient foot rest when surprised by a puff...and you really miss it the first couple of puffs. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />