webcraft
Well-Known Member
The Deffee ladder is a great piece of kit - because the steps are rigid it is much easier to use than the all-webbing types.
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Mast Ladders - without vitriol, please
- Thread starter Robin2
- Start date
Honey
Well-Known Member
I have the ladder from Hurst and found it very difficult to use. In fact I never got past half way up and then was unable to get down and had to be rescued. The main problem was that I have large feet and had decided to wear heavy shoes, as treads are only webbing, and could not get my feet in the strops to come down! I am also thinking of steps!!!
saltwater_gypsy
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You will find mast steps very useful when you need to free a halyard which has got caught round the mast steps.
A piece of line taken down the ouside of the steps helps but...........
A piece of line taken down the ouside of the steps helps but...........
damo
Well-Known Member
Re: I use a
"How does one get up when single-handed?"
I've posted an answer to this on several occasions, most recently in the thread that prompted this one. I really must get an article together!
FWIW mast steps are the easiest,and being hauled in a bosun's chair inefficient, unecessary and the most risky IMO. A mast ladder that runs in the groove has a problem if the sail is stuck up, and a flexible ladder, whether tape, rope or wire, is very painful to use next to a swaying mast.
You need both hands and feet to climb a ladder, so it is difficult to fend yourself off the mast if it isn't attached to the track. Climbing a rope only requires one hand and one leg at a minimum, so the spare limbs can be used to hang onto shrouds or mast.
Whatever method you use, it is scary singlehanded at sea. (said with feeling /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )
"How does one get up when single-handed?"
I've posted an answer to this on several occasions, most recently in the thread that prompted this one. I really must get an article together!
FWIW mast steps are the easiest,and being hauled in a bosun's chair inefficient, unecessary and the most risky IMO. A mast ladder that runs in the groove has a problem if the sail is stuck up, and a flexible ladder, whether tape, rope or wire, is very painful to use next to a swaying mast.
You need both hands and feet to climb a ladder, so it is difficult to fend yourself off the mast if it isn't attached to the track. Climbing a rope only requires one hand and one leg at a minimum, so the spare limbs can be used to hang onto shrouds or mast.
Whatever method you use, it is scary singlehanded at sea. (said with feeling /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
Mountaineers have been at it for decades - the result? Ascenders on a dedicated line with a figure of eight abseiler for the descent. You are under control at all times, can work in a secure mode, and do the whole thing independently of any helper.
None of these other devices including static footrests score for DIY mast climbing because they place great strain on the arms, which leaves the climber with little acuity when addressing work up the mast. With 2 ascenders you can climb and rest at your own pace.
But for some, acenders are too esoteric...good luck!
PWG
None of these other devices including static footrests score for DIY mast climbing because they place great strain on the arms, which leaves the climber with little acuity when addressing work up the mast. With 2 ascenders you can climb and rest at your own pace.
But for some, acenders are too esoteric...good luck!
PWG
Robin2
Well-Known Member
Re: I use a
Unfortunately mast steps aren't easily shared between boats.
Does anyone know if the Deffee ladder is still on sale?
Unfortunately mast steps aren't easily shared between boats.
Does anyone know if the Deffee ladder is still on sale?
maxi77
Well-Known Member
Not only used by mountaineers but also by cavers. You do not have to buy expensive kit either but make up prussic loops on the spot if you require.
http://www.planetfear.com/article_detail.asp?a_id=511
Mountaineers/cavers though have the advantage that the point they are climbing to is fixed where as particularly at sea ours is moving. Some of you may remember the dramatic video of Dame Ellen bouncing of the mast and sails as she 'ascended' the mast during her epic voyage. My body has aged to the point where it does not like that sort of thing and my recovery from the subsequent injuries takes a lot longer so I prefer to go for a system where I can guarantee to keep much closer to the mast as I climb thus mimimising the risk of injury.
http://www.planetfear.com/article_detail.asp?a_id=511
Mountaineers/cavers though have the advantage that the point they are climbing to is fixed where as particularly at sea ours is moving. Some of you may remember the dramatic video of Dame Ellen bouncing of the mast and sails as she 'ascended' the mast during her epic voyage. My body has aged to the point where it does not like that sort of thing and my recovery from the subsequent injuries takes a lot longer so I prefer to go for a system where I can guarantee to keep much closer to the mast as I climb thus mimimising the risk of injury.
RestlessL
Well-Known Member
My sport was climbing long before I took up sailing, and so using climbing methods to get up the mast seemed the natural thing to do. I would far rather be in control of my own ascent/descent rather than rely on others, so in my view the bosun's chair is a non-starter. It might be different if I could rely on a strong crew, but there is no way that swmbo would agree to hoisting me up. Also, the bosun's chair is not much use if single-handed.
I have both climbing gear (harness, Petzl ascender and figure of 8 descender) and Hurst ladder on board, but I prefer the ladder. To be frank, I now find pulling myself up with the ascenders quite exhausting. Things were different when I was younger, when I found the process quite easy, but time moves on.
If you are going to use the ascender method, here are a couple of tips:
Make sure that halliard is safe - I tie a stopper knot just behind the deck organisers so that even if it is released you do not fall;
Use 2 footloops, and tie a loop in each to prevent your feet slipping out;
Even with the Petzl kit, it is easier if the line is in tension. Tie the end to the front of the boom after you have passed it;
Use a 2nd halliard as a safety line - swmno is happy belaying me;
Come down by abseiling down another halliard - much easier than trying to use the ascenders for a controlled descent (I am fortunate that I have 5 halliards at the mast head);
Make sure that the harness is properly adjusted - it can get quite painful if not.
However, my prefered method is the Hurst ladder. Mine has treble webbing at the foot of each step, which keeps the steps open, and I do not have problems getting my feet in. As has been pointed out, there could be a problem if the main sail is jammed, and the luff is attached with a bolt rope. In my case the luff attaches with clips, so I can hoist the ladder loose and attach to the mast with cord as I go up, although this would prevent the crew from lowering the sail until I am back on the deck.
I do not have anything against mast steps, but then again I have no experience of them. I don't think I would use them without a safety harness.
Just a personal view - at the end of the day it is whatever you are comforable with.
John
I have both climbing gear (harness, Petzl ascender and figure of 8 descender) and Hurst ladder on board, but I prefer the ladder. To be frank, I now find pulling myself up with the ascenders quite exhausting. Things were different when I was younger, when I found the process quite easy, but time moves on.
If you are going to use the ascender method, here are a couple of tips:
Make sure that halliard is safe - I tie a stopper knot just behind the deck organisers so that even if it is released you do not fall;
Use 2 footloops, and tie a loop in each to prevent your feet slipping out;
Even with the Petzl kit, it is easier if the line is in tension. Tie the end to the front of the boom after you have passed it;
Use a 2nd halliard as a safety line - swmno is happy belaying me;
Come down by abseiling down another halliard - much easier than trying to use the ascenders for a controlled descent (I am fortunate that I have 5 halliards at the mast head);
Make sure that the harness is properly adjusted - it can get quite painful if not.
However, my prefered method is the Hurst ladder. Mine has treble webbing at the foot of each step, which keeps the steps open, and I do not have problems getting my feet in. As has been pointed out, there could be a problem if the main sail is jammed, and the luff is attached with a bolt rope. In my case the luff attaches with clips, so I can hoist the ladder loose and attach to the mast with cord as I go up, although this would prevent the crew from lowering the sail until I am back on the deck.
I do not have anything against mast steps, but then again I have no experience of them. I don't think I would use them without a safety harness.
Just a personal view - at the end of the day it is whatever you are comforable with.
John
damo
Well-Known Member
If the track is clear you can use a spare slide with a short tether to your harness to stop swinging about. I also use a sling around the mast for the same job.