This is my second post to the forum. For some reason the first one disappeared. Maybe it is because I tried to place it in the wrong section. Anyway apologies if this is a repeat for anybody.

I am currently building an F16 look alike of my own design based on past experience building 2 cats and pictures of F16 I have seen on the net.

Any ideas on how to build and connect dolphin striker? I was pplanning to use 25mm by 3mm SS. IS this an overkill?

regards

xuraax

Are you after advice on the striker or the strap?

The easiest way to install the striker is to get a large wall thickness tube. Slot it through the bottom of the beam (so its against the top of the beam) and weld it in place. A simple length adjustment can be made with a bolt a nut (two lock nuts are even better). Size the bolt so its a reasonable fit in the striker tube and then use the nut to adjust how much is sticking out at any given time. The applicable strap size is dependant on vessel weight, beam, striker length etc...... Fasten the strap at the ends with multiple small machine screws. When working out your necessary striker length go for a minimum strap to beam angle of about 8 degrees (higher if you have enough freeboard).

Good luck and if you need more info please ask.

I am more worried about the strap than the striker. My thoughts are similar on the striker except that I was not thinking slotting it through the bottom of the beam as I think any largish holes will tend to weaken it.

Do the dimensions I gave for the strap make sense or will the bar be overbuilt for a 16 footer?

I am not too happy about fastening the SS strap to the al beam directly because of corrosion. Any good ideas here or pictures will be most welcome

regards

Its pretty typical to fasten the strap straight onto the beam. If you're particularly worried you can put a plastic shim between the two items, nylon bushes around the bolts and then coat everything with duralac.

If you don't run the striker through the beam you need a compression insert in the beam to transfer the load. This is a far more complicated installation.

Post on the F16 forum and ask what people are using as straps.

Use 30-40mm x 3mm for a F16.
I am about to build a srtiker for the DS 12 so there will be pics the next week.

Great Gato. We will have to do the same thing soon so it will be very helpful for us to see how you are doing it.

My fault, but the discussion of the striker went of to the the wrong place. Go to the F12 forum DS12 and there it has been going on quite animated.
here some pics

http://www.gust.ax/gallery/2008-02-10/08-04-14/