Deffee mast climbing ladder-Medway area

[Gin]

Does anyone,based in the Medway area, use a Deffee ladder which they could spare a little time to demonstrate to me.

I am having trouble with a flexible climbing/caving ladder and I am hopeful that the Deffee may be easier for me to use

 

[William_H]

Here a different slant. don't climb the mast bring the mast down. This no problem if you have a deck stepped mast. If it is keel steppeed then consider getting a hinge fitted just above the deck. The end result is that you can lower even remove you mast without proffessional help any time including transitting bridges and you can lower it to a point where you can reach the top from a nearby wharf without scaring yourself climbing the mast.
PM if you want help. Almost all yachts around here lower masts to transit bridges and it is ok even on really huge masts. olewill

 

[Gin]

Thanks for the input but having only just stepped this new mast and fitted the rigging terminals there is now some rigging work to be done at the masthead, so the last thing I want to do is lower it.

Also I am looking at those times when a masthead visit is necessary afloat (lost halyard, broken masthead fitting etc ) and I want an independent means of scaling the mast.

I have never liked entrusting my safety to crew winding me up on a halyard

 

[philip_stevens]

I've just bought a 2nd hand Mast Mate http://www.mastmate.com/- not cheap new, but excellent for going aloft, even on your own.

 

[Kilter]

On my previous baot I had mast steps and they were wonderful! I'll be fitting them to the present boat sometime soon.

 

[Malcb]

The riggers who recently replaced my forestay used a Mastep Mast Inspection Ladder. Seemed to work extremely well. I've seen them using it on other boats on the marina.

 

[Cloven]

Agree with philip stevens on mastmate. I have used mine on several occasions not least after launching this year. I left the job to the marina (at their request) and they fitted the windex incorrectly. Three times up & down mast in an hour single handed. No problems.

 

[lizziem]

Bought a Deffee, very happy with it (we're not Medway based though, sorry). It's about as solid as you can get for something that goes up a mast track and makes life very easy for a 68 year old asthmatic - and no you don't have to be that old to use a mast ladder.

 

[Gin]

Thanks for the various ideas, I don't have the stowage space for the Mastep system and I want to avoid permanent steps fixed to the mast, although I can see the obvious advantages of such an arrangement.

I have a PBO article on various mast climbers and the Deffee was recommended but I am reluctant to spend over £200 on something I may not get on with- hence the original question.

PBO found that the webbing loop ladders gripped the feet of the climbers to an uncomfortable degree but the American device, MastMate, was not reviewed so that may be an acceptable alternative.

Anyway thanks again