adding mast steps

[heavysteps]

HI everyone. I would like to ask about adding mast steps to my hunter 30
I would like to install the stainless steel half triangle type step to my mast and
i remember reading something about an ounce on the mast equals a pound in the keel.

Am i ok to put the steps on the mast as is or do i need to make changes to the boat

thanks

 

[flhunterowner]

I have thought about adding folding steps to my Hunter. I haven't researched that yet though. I have heard of that saying also. One reason I haven't is because a West Marine Employee told me about failures on their folding steps.

 

[Honeyman]

Aside from punching holes in your mast and weakening it to install them, think of how many times your jib sheets will get caught trying to get around the mast. I really think if they were that good an accessory, many more boats would have them. I have sailed a boat with them installed and did not buy it because of them.

 

[Bill Roosa]

They are noisy too

The wind makes quite a noise as it moves around them.

 

[Newj]

Go for it

The wind makes quite a noise as it moves around them.

I have been up my mast several times. I have a harness, but i have to wait till some fellow sailors at the marina, then ask them to wench me up on a halyard. I dont trust anyone, so it's kinda spooky. Go for the steps.

 

[Alan]

Save yourself the aggravation and effort. Buy yourself a good climbing harness and a set of ascenders. Then you will be able to climb your mast by yourself and not have to worry about any damage to both mast and sails, not to mention the added weight. It's quite true, the weight aloft is multiplied by the height. A few pounds of metal up there is like moving a crew member to the leeward rail (really bad!).

 

[Defensible]

Mast Step Kit

I no longer have the upper body stregth to use one of the climbers. I purchased a kit on line that comes with a bag that organizes the parts. The steps fit in the mast track and have linked spacers about a foot to 18" inches apart. They can be raised with a halyard or pushed up the track and are very stable and strong with a two sided step that can be located to give you a resting or working place. When not in use, they are stored in the bottom of a locker and are not weight above or a potential for chaffing.

 

[Alan]

Re: Mast Step Kit

I completely understand your reluctance to use a "mountain climbing" setup. What you need to realize is that 'upper body strength' is not needed to climb your mast with this setup. It is very simply a sit and stand up affair. If you can sit in a chair and stand up unassisted then you have enough stamina to climb your mast. I am in my sixties and still do it with ease. Combining a climbing harness (for safety) makes the whole thing very safe and easy. Using a set of mast steps would require about the same amount of energy expenditure as my ascender setup with none of the downside of steps.

You may choose to use any method you please, but don't discount this without first understand just how well it works.

 

[Paul Cossman]

I installed folding aluminum mast steps on my Passage 42 back in 1992, just up to about four feet higher than the first set of spreaders. I use them to climb up to the spreaders to look for passages through coral heads and passes. I can't remember who manufactured them--maybe ABI, but they were spendy. About $20 apiece, I think.

I have been up and down them innumerable times, and they function fine. Care must be taken when installing them, so as to not drill through the mast into a wire or halyard run. I carefully ground down the inside ends of the s.s. mounting screws so they wouldn't grab the internal halyards, and also so they didn't protrude too far into the mast. And also the usual anti-seize compound between the stainless and aluminum. They make no noise, and I have never experienced any line fouling.

I also heard anecdotal stories of failures, but have not experienced any problems. I use the usual "three-point" care when climbing or descending on them, so if one of them fails, I have two solid attachments to the mast with feet or hands.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. They make it so easy to scurry up the mast that I have often done just that to get a look at something in the distance or just to enjoy the view.

They weigh so little that weight is not a consideration. And they really create no additional windage since you can fold them closed as you descend.