Mast-steps: Good idea/bad idea?

Robert Wilson

Robert Wilson

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As in "folding s/s. 4-point fixings" (e.g Force4 catalogue p,188)

Some Plus points:
Swifter/safer access aloft compared to my home-made rope ladder.
Once correctly fixed on they are readily available.
Less chance of failure compared to my rope ladder.

Some Minus points:
Eye-sores when compared to "plain, neat mast".
"Shin-rippers" with those serrated foot-grips.
£220 for a mast of my size.

I'm not sure how many more times I'll need to climb the mast, but if it was to be in a blow/bumpy sea I could not possibly do it with my existing rope ladder

What does the team think?
Any experiences? Caveats? Recommendations?
 
My favourite comment about mast steps is that they make it easy to get up the mast to free halyards...

...that have become tangled around the mast steps :D

(Personally I prefer the idea of a Defee webbing ladder that has rigid rungs and is secured in the mast track.)

Pete
 
Some years ago, I had an "incident" with the top swivel on my jib furling gear. We were away at the back of beyond, and although we (my wife and I) managed to get ourselves sorted, I swore then that in order to be independent, I would fit mast steps. I made fixed steps for the mizzen, but bought the folding ones to which you refer, for the mainmast.

I have to admit that the bought, folding ones are better, neater, and much less noticeable than the fixed ones. OK, almost all my halyards are internal, so there is no chance of them catching anyway, but when folded in there is very little to catch. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate, and I'm just surprised at how few boats have them.
 
I was seriously considering the same this time last year but during the long period of deliberation and commitment I needed to get up there and borrowed a 'Mast Mate' webbing type ladder that goes up in the mast slot as already mentioned. It was so good and easy to use that I decided to get one of those instead of having to fit steps. Yes I have used it many times since and not disappointed at all.
 
If you have in mast furling, you probably don't have a track. Steps also have the possible advantage that they can probably be used from either fore or aft. But I have to admit that I have little experience of using the rope ladder type devices, but I do like the rigidity of steps.
 
On the other hand...

On my previous boat I installed closed steps, home made. which were very useful and could be used from both sides of the mast, fore and aft. Being closed - like a stirrup - meant that my feet could not slip out. I never had any problems with halyards getting snagged; on the contrary, the halyards could be intentionally snaked around the steps while at anchor or at the pontoon so as to prevent the annoying rattling against the mast. 'Un-snaking' them was a simple matter of shaking the halyards loose while standing near the mast. I really wish I had them on my present boat but, being close to 72 in four weeks time, mast-climbing is now beyond me. :(

This is what they looked like (the boat was a Centaur).

zP0K5N8.jpg
 
We have mst steps fitted and use them at least five to six times a year for rig inspections, quick and easy. They do add weigh aloft abd windage. Also consider what may rub or catch on the fastenings inside the mast. While we have closed stirrup steps on this vessel we fitted folding mast steps on our last boat.
As always personal choice.
 
mast.JPG
I too have fitted mast steps - not the folding type. Find them very useful. I used to have a Mast mate webbing ladder but found it a pain and time consuming to rig and awkward to climb. Fixed steps are much easier to climb and still manage at age 70.
 
I fitted folding mast steps on both mizzen and main. Mine have a white plastic insert which stops them hurting your feet. I think they are excellent- wouldn’t want to climb the mast any other way. Just spent 40minutes removing a radar: much easier to get up there and very safe.
 
howardclark said:
I fitted folding mast steps on both mizzen and main. Mine have a white plastic insert which stops them hurting your feet. I think they are excellent- wouldn’t want to climb the mast any other way. Just spent 40minutes removing a radar: much easier to get up there and very safe.
Click to expand...

Actually, for radar at the spreaders, an extension ladder is even easier. You do have to secure the ladder very well and still use a safety line. But you can climb it in-balance, unlike any mast climbing arrangement. Easier to make multiple trips.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2016/03/extension-ladders-on-deck.html
 
thinwater said:
Actually, for radar at the spreaders, an extension ladder is even easier. You do have to secure the ladder very well and still use a safety line. But you can climb it in-balance, unlike any mast climbing arrangement. Easier to make multiple trips.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2016/03/extension-ladders-on-deck.html
Click to expand...

I'm willing to accept that if your boat is in a marina, and never goes out, and if you never want to go up higher than the first set of spreaders, a separate ladder is a feasible option. :rolleyes:
 
Some good, salient points - and as usual a quick response. Thank you folks.

I like the idea of a flexible, somewhat easily climbed Mast Mate and I think the idea of two fixed/folding steps at the top for safe, comfortable working is first class and very sensible :encouragement:.

I'm not keen on the practicalities/strength issue of drilling around 80 holes in the mast to fix the full set of folding steps; especially doing it while the mast remains stepped - need a set of steps to climb the mast to drill and fix the steps...…..:rolleyes:

There is a hassle factor of dropping and removing the mainsail to insert the mast slides of the Mast Mate - and if in a bumpy sea-way the Mast Mate isn't totally rigid

I can only find a Mast Mate in the US, therefore dollars and the smallest model works out a bit more expensive than a set of 20 steps.

So, I'm going to think again, for now. But please do keep the thoughts, ideas and suggestions coming.
 
I have always used fabric ladders but recently bought a set of these:

https://kinlevenmarine.com/

This was the Deffee originally.
Excellent. Good people to deal with, very nicely presented, the finished thing is tailor made to your boat witht the name on the bag, works very well. Only disadvantage seems to be that they are bulkier to stow than fabric steps
 
I have just put a couple of the folding 'nylon' steps at he top of my mast. Could have done with them last year when I installed the new wind instruments. Going up the mast I use a home made mast climber that is over 10 yeas old now.
 
+1 for Kinleven ladder. I use it quite a bit.

Very nice to know that you can get to the top of your mast. I agree that a stuck mainsail would mean using it hanging free, rather than in the groove. Apart from that constraint it is the best solution for me. I wasn't keen on drilling holes for the fixed steps, or the way they look or snag on sails, halyards etc.

I have never felt unsafe on the Kinleven ladder, the steps are very rigid.
 
NormanS said:
I'm willing to accept that if your boat is in a marina, and never goes out, and if you never want to go up higher than the first set of spreaders, a separate ladder is a feasible option. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I think I'm unlikely to unexpectedly need to install a radar at anchor during a cruise :)

I have worked on a radar from a bosun's chair, but for the more involved job of fitting a new one, with lots of ups and downs and manhandling an awkward bulky object (albeit they're not very heavy any more), a good extension ladder up to the spreader was far, far easier. It's the angle that makes the difference, allowing you to keep your centre of gravity over your feet which you can't do with anything (fixed or portable) that runs up a vertical mast.

Pete
 
NormanS said:
I'm willing to accept that if your boat is in a marina, and never goes out, and if you never want to go up higher than the first set of spreaders, a separate ladder is a feasible option. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Exactly, only for that. I use either a Mast Mate or other mast climbing system for other jobs.

Do you use one tool for every job? A wrench in place of a hammer? In this case, a ladder is the better tool for the job.

And to repeat for those who missed it, you do NOT have to raise a mast mate in the track. It is more stable, but crank 1000 pounds of tension on it with a winch and it doesn't move much. Obvious. I've done this many times, since my boat requires removing much of the mainsail to access the gate. I just hoist the Mast mate to the side. Easy.
 
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