Mast Climbing Ladder

[Ric]

An interesting thread from which I have learnt a lot. However, most of these mast ladders seem to offer primary access to the rear of the mast. The number of times I have found it advantageous to go up the rear of the mast (really only to attend to the visual Windex) have been greatly outnumbered by the times I have needed to go up the front of the mast (radar, deck light bulb, steaming bulb, staysail halyard, electric Windex). I still prefer a decent climbing harness with ascenders to go up the spinnaker halyard, and an abseiling 8 to come back down.

 

[NormanS]

An interesting thread from which I have learnt a lot. However, most of these mast ladders seem to offer primary access to the rear of the mast. The number of times I have found it advantageous to go up the rear of the mast (really only to attend to the visual Windex) have been greatly outnumbered by the times I have needed to go up the front of the mast (radar, deck light bulb, steaming bulb, staysail halyard, electric Windex). I still prefer a decent climbing harness with ascenders to go up the spinnaker halyard, and an abseiling 8 to come back down.

Spinnaker halliards are often through a block attached to the mast. Much better policy to use a halliard which passes over a sheave in the mast. If your spinnaker block fails, you're on the deck. If an enclosed sheave fails, you only come down slightly. It's worth bearing in mind.

 

[Graham_Wright]

A little tip I picked up from one of our customers. If you are climbing a line or for that matter a fabric ladder, the spring can be reduced by standing on the bottom rung (footrest or other) while someone takes up the slack on the downhaul.

Obvious really but only when someone has thought of it!

 

[richardabeattie]

Baffled! If you are standing on the bottom rung you must me at the bottom of the mast. Could you expand a bit?

 

[alan_d]

Baffled! If you are standing on the bottom rung you must me at the bottom of the mast. Could you expand a bit?

I think the suggestion is to pre-tension the ladder before you start to climb it.

 

[thinwater]

Not a problem. You put straps round the mast and ladder. Not sure if you do it on the way up or as you are hoisting it - perhaps the former.

Not needed. You can use the ladder just fine outside the grove so long as you pull it tight. No straps needed, just winch it tight, like a sail. I have done this for years.

 

[Graham_Wright]

I think the suggestion is to pre-tension the ladder before you start to climb it.

Correct. The tip came from a rigger.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

.
We've got a fractional rig with well swept back spreaders so that's a bit of a potential issue as well.

Haul it up as far as you can and climb up. When your safety-line tender has taken up the slack and cleated off, step off the ladder and rely on the safety harness/chair while you disengage the ladder from the spreaders and your mate hauls it up to full height. Then you can continue.

 

[ColinR]

Bought one of these:

http://www.hurst-marine.co.uk/

Find it easy to use, and easier than having somebody haul me up (easier for them that is). Still use a bosun's chair with either the halyard to somebody on the winch as a safety line, or clip onto the steps on the way up if alone, or onto a separate halyard. Another vote from somebody who does not like heights.

If the steps get caught on the way up then put a bit of chock cord over them so they are upright, and you can then open them out again on the way up. Bringing them down is less of a problem.

I second that. I use one regularly single handed. I usually clip on when I'm up so I've got both hands free.

 

[Harry Brown]

I'm looking for a ladder, so would be good to see.

 

[colind3782]

I still have an 11m Hurst Marine "Get Up" ladder with webbing straps that velcro round the mast. I don't use it and it's in as new condition. If anyone wants it before I stick on Ebay I'm looking for £75. It cost £159.

 

[PotatoNavigator]

I thought best practice was to have a topping lift the same size as the main halyard so it can be used instead in just such a situation?

Just an afterthought;- how do ladders work on the forward side of the mast?

My own boat has main halyard, trysail halyard, topping lift ,two genoa halyards, spinnaker halyard and storm jib halyard. (Alright, it's over the top and for good measure, two forestays and two backstays - heads down for the critics!).

Thus, I can almost certainly find something to get aloft with. However, there are occasions when it is impossible to use the aft side of the mast (some have only a tiddler of a topping lift and the main halyard, which if it has gone walkies upwards, is the reason for the climb). If you have in-mast furling and the main is stuck, the groove can't be used.

I guess you have to dig out the bosun's chair and the spinach!

The problem with the fore-side is the presence of that wonderful stand-on sit-on platform called a radar scanner. Very hard to resist!

 

[alanw1947]

Am interested if your Hurst is still available? Alan

 

[alanw1947]

I still have an 11m Hurst Marine "Get Up" ladder with webbing straps that velcro round the mast. I don't use it and it's in as new condition. If anyone wants it before I stick on Ebay I'm looking for £75. It cost £159.

 

[jonjo]

[Content removed]

I tried Grahams device at the Southampton Boatshow, was very impressed. A notable benefit is that it allows the user obtain a high working body posture at the masthead unlike alternative where you are still reaching up to work.

While at the top of the demo mast when Graham was holding the safety line I paused and wondered if i had ever called him a liberal fascist or similar during a ding dong Lounge political debate.

 

[colind3782]

Am interested if your Hurst is still available? Alan

It is. I'll PM you my contact details. Moving house today so it may delay me getting back to you.

 

[Pete7]

If you have in-mast furling and the main is stuck, the groove can't be used.

My Selden mast with in mast reefing has a trysail slot which the mast mate fits into, just like a Genoa in a furling system with bolt rope. There is no groove for the mainsail, its an inch wide slot to allow the main to move in and out.

Pete

 

[thinwater]

If you have in-mast furling and the main is stuck, the groove can't be used.

I have a Mast Mate ladder, and it can easily be used without the groove. Just haul it tight with the winch and there is virtually no difference. I do it all the time, I don't even try to use the groove anymore.