Mast Climbing - Mast Steps

[Chris_Robb]

Having read last months PBO (or YM) on mast ladders, the big problem is having to get the main off first, which is a pain.

I was thinking of putting Mast steps on this winter - anyone have any experiance of this type - of course a halyard would be used as a safety line?

 

[Guest]

I have mast steps. Absolutely fabulous. No need to take the main off though!
What I do have is a thin chord above the cross trees that connects to a step, then is wrapped around the stay then goes to the next step etc until you reach the top of the mast. This then prevents any halyards getting caught and wrapped around the steps.
Steps are a godsend if you are single handed. You can hook on to higher steps as you go up.

 

[PaulAG]

I also have mast steps rivetted to mast. Not sure what type they are as they were there when I purchased boat. Absolute godsend to get up mast afloat or ashore (mine is bilge-keeled so relatively stable on dry land). But do tie on especially when the site for working is reached - allows you to use both hands.
Good luck!

PaulAG

 

[yoda]

A question for anyone with mast steps. What is a practical distance between steps? I'm working on about 20 inches (allowing for my short than normal stature) Is that about right? Also I like the look of the folding Barton mast step, anyone got them and if so are the OK?

Yoda

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I fitted steps to my mast last winter (Centaur). Steps are homemade using 15 x 2mm stainless strip, 4mm s/s poprivets and paste at each joint. Result is more stable than any commercial ones that I have seen and at a fraction of the price. I experimented with the distance, seeing how easy or difficult to climb onto a chair and found that, for me, 16 to 18 inches is just about the limit. Remember that the second leg has to travel twice this distance while you're on one leg that is bent at the knee. In the end I divided the distance between the boom and the spreaders so that I got a distance that was close to these limits. The spreaders form a convenient double step and are at the right height for the steaming light, baby stay, signal lines, etc. A similar division was made for the top part of the mast, finishing around 4 feet below mast-top with a step on each side.
Design of step is very simple, being a VEE shape lying on its side with a 'stirrup' going from the tip of the vee up to the mast. There are 2 rivets at the end of this strip and one on each end of the horizontal vee. Vee step is relatively comfortable (wearing deck shoes) and guards against fore and aft wrenching of the rivets as you pull your weight up.
O.K to use halyard but remember to knot the line to your harness and not clip it. Avoid using the spinnaker or any other halyard that does not go 'over' the mast top. The advice given about clipping yourself while working is very sound; just make sure that you have the shortest slack possible.
Good Luck.

Wally

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Mast Climbing - Mast Steps - thanks for info

Thanks for the info - seems that the best solution is to make ones own as described in one of the posts.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I forgot to say...

The 'stirrup' part is WELDED to the tip of the VEE. I might have given the impression that it is popped. Sorry about that.

Wally

 

[RichardDunstan]

Re: I forgot to say...

You get mast steps that are retractable and can be stowed against the mast. I've been on a boat that uses them and their pretty good. Can't remember who makes them - might be Seldon.

The step is normally flush against the mast in its housing. You lift it up and then fold it down to lock it in position. Once you've finished, you push it in and lift it back flush against the mast.

 

[david_e]

Is the Bosun's chair more risky or just more unpleasant, and the reason for mast ladders?

 

[Chris_Robb]

Bosuns Chair is fine - the main problem is that a female crew is not likely (unless she played rugby for England) to be able to winch a 14 stoner to the top of the mast. With Mast steps many people use a bosuns chair as well for safety.

 

[AlanPound]

Mast steps

Yes - we have some of those very steps - pretty good too.

However, we don't have them all the way up - just 4 at the base of the mast (60ft ketch) to get up to the head of the sail to attach the halyard, get onto the boom etc., and another pair right at the top so that once you are up there (bosun's chair etc) you can hoist yourself right up hig to get at the masthead light & fittings etc....

 

[yoda]

Thanks for the very helpful post. I feel more inclined to fit mast steps than a car radio which from other posts seems to involve buying a BMW - some people never satisfied.

Yoda

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Bosuns Chair

I used to winch my daughter up using the mast winch, but last time I needed a job doing she rebelled. So I got her to winch me up (15 stone), this was achived by puting one turn round the mast winch then forward to the (electric) anchor winch. She said it was as easy as pie, and from my point of view the assent was very smooth. The only drawback is it is a two person job.
For single handed needs I've been considering rock climbers 'rope assenders' as an alternative to steps.

 

[FlyingSpud]

Two answers to this problem, both of which work well for me:-
1. You have teenage children, - threats and inducements will get them in the chair and up they go
2. You winch the wife up the mast
Either way all you have to do is shout encouragement from the bottom, and tut in an annoyed way when they don’t achieve what they when they went up there for in the first place

 

[BrianJ]

Hi Chris.. yes I had mast steps on my mast for the 36' van de stadt.. also used the bosuns chair AND always carried a safety harness to clip on when you get to the height you want.
BrianJ

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Bosuns Chair

I have used the anchor winch before - but my wife does not feel happy using it, - and if I put her up - - I dread to think of the consequenses

 

[Chris_Robb]

Hi Brian - Mast steps I think it is. with associated safety devices.

 

[Miker]

Re: Masteps - how bulky are they?

I read the PBO article and was tempted by the Deffee except that it might be the main that is jammed. The point was made that the Mastep is rather bulky for stowage on a small boat. Mine is a 26 footer. Can someone advise on the space required to store the mastep?