Mast Ladder

[3reefs]

I have a preference for a mast ladder, rather than a climber to go up the mast.

Which one do you use, and what is your opinion of it?

Sorry if this topic has been done to death, I am hopeless at doing searches here.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[roger]

This is a temporary ladder answer. I bought a tape ladder specially made for my boat by Westaway Sails. You pull it up the mainsheet track with a suitable halyard and walk up the mast using another halliard to a climbing harness to protect you. It works for me but I only go up the mast when in harbour. I'm always worried about haliards getting fouled on permanent steps. I've been careless enough to get the main halliard wrapped round the blipper. Lord alone knows what I'd manage with permanent steps.

<hr width=100% size=1>Roger

 

[paul123]

I purchased a webbing ladder from a company in Essex.They advertise in the mags but unfortunately I haven't got the name with me.Cost was about £160.

However,the ladder is well made and works well although I have two gripes,it can be a chore to take the sail off before threading the ladder into the tracks and when hauling it up the steps get caught in the spreaders as they twist in the wind and we have to tape them up and then remove the tape as you climb. Taking down is not a problem.

I dislike going up the mast but find this type of ladder gives a sense of security when climbing.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

I have a lightweight tape ladder to which I have fixed 4 or 5 mainsail sliders. The whole thing goes up on the main halyard. When used in a planned manner, I use the spinny halyard as a safety line with my crew tending. However the only time it was used in real emergency, I was on my own, and had to replace the lower fore & backstays, as the mast was doing a mobile "S" bend every time the wind gusted. It was in Brighton Marina, but boat was broadside to the wind & I thought that the mast would go if I did not get the lowers re-rigged. Despite having no safety line, and the boat rolling about 30 degrees with me halfwau up the mast, the ladder was great. I have a safety belt & snap hook, so once at required height I just hook on to the next rung up, and wrap one leg round the mast, leaving both hands free to line up the terminal stay, insert the clevis pin & then insert the split pin. It was exciting for the spectators in the flats at Brighton & on the promenade, as several times it would have been easier for me to step onto the flying bridge of the boat next door, but the ladder worked very well, gave me a good sense of security and held me close to the mast, which was what I needed.
I would go for a ladder every time for mast work, although a bosuns chair is good for standing rigging work.
Best of luck whichever you go for, I personally believe that god gave us feet to stand on, if I was meant to climb I would have been born a chimanzee!
Cheers
Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[geoffatstanpit]

I have always fancied using a ladder to go up (usually to retrieve the spinnaker halliard) but when I once tried to use a rope ladder as a fire escape (practice) I had great trouble getting my C of G right. My feet always shot out leaving me with my backside at the lowest point and all my weight on my arms. I suppose if each rung was connected to a slider in the mainsail track it would hold it all straight but it would be a bit wobbly wouldn't it?

On another point which is making me less and less inclined to go aloft with advancing years (and wisdom) is the thought that my weight is 20% of the ballast weight of the Parker 21 at a lever arm of 28ft above the deck. When the crew walks from one side to the other to get a better view the feeling of describing graceful arcs through the sky is a bit un-nerving.

The more I think about it the more careful I shall be not ot let go my halliards!

Geoff

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[fireball]

With a rope ladder you either need to lay it against a solid surface or make it (reasonably) taught by attaching it at the top and bottom.

Having had to climb up the rigging to the spreaders with the aid of the bosuns chair I'd think carefully about what mast climbing equip to purchase... if at all possible try it out first.

I'm sure I've seen folding steps that attach to the side of the mast - shouldn't catch any lines on that ...

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Robin]

We have one, called 'Get Up' I think, advertised in the PBO classifieds bit, cost about £150 depending on length. It has sail slides at intervals to feed into the mast groove and keep it in place though since we have external batten car track ours goes up in the trysail track which means the mainsail slides don't need removing first. It is heavy webbing with loops either side (stiffened on the tread bit) to climb up, hoist it with the main halyard and use the bosuns chair as a backup on the spi halyard and clip this or yourself to the mast/ladder or whatever for extra safety. Wear good shoes as the loops tend to squeeze your feet especially if you are heavy like me.

Then having bought it, get someone else to use it whilst you supervise....

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[bob_tyler]

Glad to see that you have got some sensible replies.

I have always understood that the three most useless things on a boat are and umbrella, a ladder and a naval officer!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[johna]

I have a folding plastic/nylon (?) ladder I think it is called "Mast Step" takes a little time to set up and is quite large to store but very easy to use. Usually use the main halyard to tension the ladder with the lower end held on a strap under the gooseneck. Either spinnaker halyard or topping lift as a safety line on Bosuns Chair. Bought quite cheap at a boat jumble.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Graham_Wright]

I have some fold-up steps that were sourced via Kemp sails.

The are only fitted at the top of mast to give that extra bit of height for lamps etc.

They are made of reinforced plast ic of some sort and cost around £12 each. Pretty low peofile when folded.

<hr width=100% size=1>GBW

 

[milltech]

Yes it's called the Mastep ladder and I own the tooling for that. It is made and sold by Morton Boats in Lincolnshire, <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mortonboats.co.uk/>http://www.mortonboats.co.uk/</A>.

It does not require the luff track to work, which is helpful if its occupied. You walk up the ladder holding onto the mast rather than the ladder. I've even done it a few times myself at boat shows and it works rather well. Easy to set up it can also be extended by buying extra sections should you move on to a larger vessel. Likewise you can remove sections for the shorter mast.

I have always thought it a good product to share in a sailing club.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[johna]

Yes thats the one. I could usefully use an extra metre or two but your metre price is more than I paid for the whole ladder so I must get to a Boat Jumble again.

<hr width=100% size=1>