Definition

1. Noun:
   • A spar under the bowsprit of a sailboat: A "dolphin striker" is a short, strong, vertical or angled spar that extends downward from the bowsprit of a sailing vessel. Its primary function is to provide structural support and tension to the bowsprit and the rigging attached to it, such as the bobstay, which helps counteract the upward pull of the forestays.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old schooner's dolphin striker was made of solid oak.
  • During the refit, the sailors replaced the worn dolphin striker to ensure the bowsprit's stability.
  • The force of the waves damaged the dolphin striker, requiring immediate repair.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Nautical Context: The term is used almost exclusively in the context of traditional and classic sailing ship rigging. It is a critical component for maintaining the integrity of the foremast rigging.
  • In heavy weather, a robust dolphin striker is essential to prevent the bowsprit from flexing.

Variants and Related Words

• Martingale: This is a synonym for "dolphin striker," though "martingale" can also refer to the stay (the wire or rope) that the spar tensions.
• Bowsprit: The horizontal spar extending from the bow of a ship, to which the dolphin striker is attached.
• Bobstay: A chain or rope from the dolphin striker or the bow to the stem, used to hold down the bowsprit.

Synonyms

• Martingale (in the context of the spar itself).

Notes on Meaning

• The term is highly specific to nautical architecture and sailing. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative meanings outside this technical domain. The name's origin is obscure but is thought to relate to the spar's position, which might strike the water like a diving dolphin.

Noun

1. spar under the bowsprit of a sailboat