Mast ladders

We have the Get Up master ladder and sadly have had to use it more than I wanted to, bloody scary up there. Ours was made to fit the trisail track with a bolt rope as we have in mast reefing so slides won't work. Came in a bag about the size of of a large pillow. Includes safety strap for use at height. Would I buy the same again, yes definitely. With a safety line, a short strop and prusik knot allows me to clime single handed.

The big advantage of either system is you can get above the top of the mast so you can see what is going on whilst a bosuns chair stopped short.
 
Last edited:
Never seen them before, what a good idea!! Why don't you see these more often?? Got to be better than a winched up chair?
 
I use folding mast steps, permanently riveted to the mast, and ready for use even if the mast track was in use. I also use a harness or bosun's chair, depending on what I'm going to be doing up there.
 
I have one of the Get Up's and use it at least twice a year to do a rigging check and remove/replace the anemometer at the end/beginning of the season.

I climb with a bosun's chair which is tailed by Mrs Bav ... absolutely no effort from her but single handed would be just as easy with a Prussic knot.

Something ESSENTIAL is to have the downhaul squeaky tight otherwise you can kick the foot straps away as you climb, but that's really not a problem.
 
doug748 said:
I think I need a new mast ladder.

I have been thinking of either the Get Up:

https://sites.google.com/site/gerryhurstmarine/mast-ladder

At roughly £150.

Or the Kinleven (formally Deffee):

http://www.kinlevenmarine.com/index.htmlü

At roughly twice the price, c£300

Has anyone used either? Which should I get, all suggestions and anecdotes welcome.
Click to expand...

I used a Deffee ladder and with a fall arrester on a passive line as a back up. It was a good, easy and safe arrangement.

Having done some research I chose the Deffee as it had rigid steps which, unlike the webbing loops couldn't close under weight and pinch the climber's feet
 
I also have the Deffee mast ladder. It does allow full height access to work at the top of the mast, lights, vhf, wind etc.

Well made, the rigid steps are essential, in my view. Folds and stores neatly.

Need to check the sliders before each use as the cable ties occasionally break. I've doubled them up on each slider for added peace of mind.

I also wear a harness with fall arrester on a secondary line.

Keeping it taught, as per Bav34 comment, is absolutely correct.

George Deffee is from North Wales so I arranged to meet him and collect mine while en route to my boat. Really nice guy and now glad to know that his son is continuing with the business.
 
I also have a deffee, shared with a friend, different sail slides on each side so can be used on our masts. Excellent piece of kit. Recommended.
 
Another vote for the Deffee - a fine piece of kit.
One thing I would say about any mast ladder is that it is different to climbing a domestic ladder which is normally leaning forwards so it seems that you have more weight on your feet. I am also not sure about the suitability of use on a heavily raked rig with lots of pre-bend where in effect you would be climbing an overhang.
 
Must get a Deffee ladder, it's been on my list for years. I'm hopeless at mast climbing and hate Bosun's chairs. Had a look at a Deffee ladder on a neighbours boat at Tollesbury and it looked superb. Need to get the measurements done and lubricate the paypal account after I've recovered from the last orgy of boat maintenance spending.
 
garvellachs said:
We have a a "Get Up" one for a 13m mast. Looks similar to the one you are selling so I'm not sure it would be any easier on your knees?
Click to expand...


Thing about mine is that I designed it when I was a lot fitter and the distance between steps is quite large, over a foot I think, it was no problem then:(

I notice the Get Up steps are almost next to each other so I am sure that would help. Even so I am inclined towards the "Deffee", I just need to confirm prices and sleep on it.

Thanks to all for the advice.
 
On ours, the steps right at the top are twinned for ease of standing and the top strap is great to lean on, but on the way up it's a fair distance between steps. No problem if you are fit, but might not be best in your case?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top