Mast steps. Good or bad idea?

[richardh10]

I recently had to go to the top of my mast, and although it was doable, (ascender and grigri) it almost gave me a heart attack. I'm getting to old for that sort of thing. So I thought put some mast steps on. Got to be easier surely. Or is it?

 

[neilf39]

I had the same issue so bought webbing mast steps that slot into the sail track. Brilliant, easy to use and I was up the mast in no time. I was attached by a harness to the spinnaker uphaul for safety but I do that when using ascenders too.

 

[Lightwave395]

At 75 years I had the same challenge, recently had to replace my windsensor.
I bought a 'Winchrite' electric winch handle, my partner whisked me up the mast in no time at the press of a button, good for hauling up the main too although I'm still doing that by hand

 

[pcatterall]

I am considering full steps due to increasing age but I think two steps near the top are a definite bonus when working at the top and regardless as to how you get up and down!

 

[dansaskip]

So glad that I had steps fitted to my mast, they have proved so useful over the years. As mostly a singlehanded no-one to winch me up. Mind you I do wear a climbing harness and use a Petzl Shunt on a tied off halyard as safety. Also take a sling and carabiner to secure me so I can work hands free. Other people might use jammers or ascenders or grisgris or even a humble prussik as back up safety.
Have used in the past those webbing steps but such a faff to fit and they swing about too much to easily use - fitted steps are much better in my view.

 

[Minerva]

The boat we have now, we bought with folding mast steps already fitted. Having mast steps was not a consideration when buying but I will say one thing - any boat I own from this day forward will definitely have mast steps, even if I have to pay to fit them myself.

They are so useful - popping up the rig a couple of times a season to do a rig check is a non event. One halyard tailed by my wife to belay me, another halyard tensioned to the mast foot so I can operate a Prussik loop on it. I can scoot up and down the mast in moments in complete safety. Last season I even scooted up the mast to fix the windex when my wife was having a long lie one morning in a pleasant remote anchorage.

I do not think you regret fitting mast steps!

 

[Refueler]

I look at mast steps every so often ... do I really want to be climbing mast at my age >>

 

[Stemar]

I look at mast steps every so often ... do I really want to be climbing mast at my age >>

No, but needs must, sometimes.

Fortunately for my wife's blood pressure and my ears, my mast can be lowered by one person in around half an hour, though I've yet to try it. When the time comes, I think I'll allow all day...

 

[Crazy-Diamond]

Have a look at Kinleven Marine who make custom webbing ladders. I've had one on each boat. Very secure, very confidence inspiring, and certainly paid for itself many times over.

 

[Yngmar]

I fitted folding ones. The other type is horrible, howls in the wind and catches ropes, wouldn't recommend at all. Quite a bit of work (mast down or you'll definitely get that heart attack if you try to install them hanging from the mast). Overall I'd say it was worth it, but not with a huge margin. I go up there once a year to inspect things, and usually one more time to fix something (lights, a broken flag halyard etc.). Especially in that time where you need to go up to fix something they're definitely a good thing.

It still gets your pump going climbing up an awkward 15m tall ladder while wrestling a safety line (arborists fall arrester on a halyard). So maybe better to find someone else to do it?

 

[Tim Good]

Folding ones also. Makes going up and down a doddle and happy to do it solo. Yes it’s a lot of riveting but ours have been in place for 25 years and still work perfectly.

 

[Rappey]

I tried to go up a mast with folding steps. Gave up at the spreaders as most the steps had seized and it was a workout trying to pry each one open.

 

[srm]

Have used just about every variation of mast climbing aids over the last 50 years. My current boat came with fixed mast steps and they are the easiest and best mast climbing aid I have used. When I bought the boat they enabled me to replace all the standing rigging with the mast up.

I always wear a fabric sling type bosuns chair while climbing. If I have an assistant they tail on the halyard attached to the chair as I climb and lower me using the winch. When single handed I set up the main halyard tight to a deck eye and attach a mountaineer's rope clamp to the bosuns chair and slide it up or down the halyard as a safety stop. When working at the top of the mast a webbing strap gives me something to lean back against.

Mast steps are the simplest and safest way to climb for those, who like myself, are getting on in years and don't want to give up just yet.

There are those who advocate finding a younger person to send up the mast. I prefer to see that the job is done properly and can also look for other problems while up there.

 

[Clancy Moped]

If your thinking of installing them yourself, hire a compressed air rivet gun, you'll thank me!