Lacing mast steps to cap shrouds...what's all that about?

[jerrytug]

I have seen this on quite a few yachts with mast steps, especially bleached weatherbeaten blue-water types.
The mast steps above the cross-trees are laced to the cap shrouds, sometimes simply, sometimes in a quite fancy pattern. They surely can't be strong enough to use as ratlines? It must give a bit of noise, windage and maintenance as well, it can't just be a fashion. Or perhaps just to hold on to, when going aloft?
If you do it, why? Thanks for the info, Jerry

 

[whipper_snapper]

To prevent halyards and even the top of headsails getting in behind the mast and hooked onto the mast steps.

 

[Baggy]

It has happened to me... :nonchalance:
Main HALYARD got wrapped around the radar reflector.
whilst putting a reef in, in a rolly sea

It was a right pain to set free :ambivalence::nonchalance:

Next port, up the mast with some string.

 

[jerrytug]

Thanks to both..so obvious when you think about it!

 

[Simondjuk]

Similarly, it's wise to put some tape or bungee between the cap/vertical shrouds and the diagonals a few inches above where they diverge above each spreader to stop sails etc. becoming wedged in the 'V' at the junction of the wires.

 

[Simondjuk]

It has happened to me... :nonchalance:
Main sheet got wrapped around the radar reflector.
whilst putting a reef in, in a rolly sea

It was a right pain to set free :ambivalence::nonchalance:

Next port, up the mast with some string.

Must have been very rolly to flick the mainsheet all the way up there.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Must have been very rolly to flick the mainsheet all the way up there.

+1
Rats, beaten to it.......

 

[Baggy]

Must have been very rolly to flick the mainsheet all the way up there.

well spotted,

anyway it is sunday morning, brain not in gear as per usuall
and I havent been sailing for a few years now, thats my excuse anyway

 

[GHA]

Handy tip: a bit of heat shrink round the tail end of line at the knot lasts well and looks much tidier than all those frayed ends.