As noted from my previous post I'm planning on pulling my main mast this fall when
Dalliance comes out of the water. While I have the mast down I'm thinking of
installing some mast steps. I spotted these recently while surfing the net
and would be interested if anyone has tried them or has an opinion on them.
http://www.caphorn.com/sections/Pages/Mast_Steps1.htm
al holman
Personally- I would avoid drilling all of those holes in the mast. It could also hurt your resale value. I see that these are removable, but I still think there are better ways.
I invested in an ATN MastClimber several years ago, and have very VERY happy with it. It is very easy to climb the mast without any outside help. You climb using your leg muscles only. Once at the top, you can stand in the stirrups and have both hands free to work. I can get much higher on the mast head with the Mastclimber, compared to a standard bosuns chair.
http://www.atninc.com/atn-mastclimber-sailing-equipment.shtml (http://www.atninc.com/atn-mastclimber-sailing-equipment.shtml)
Al,
I agree with Kevin, I think the Mastclimber is a better choice... I like it because it is easy to use, stores well, and I can stop while ascending should I see something (or need to rest).
It will take several times to get a sense of how use it. But once you get the hang of it you will really appreciate the versatility.
Oh yes and the new design does not require a dedicated line.
Garner
Al,
My boat came with a very similar product to the one you are looking at. At first I was not excited about a spar full of holes and steps. I had even considered filling the holes and painting the spar when the time allowed. When the boat was ready to float down in Maryland I kept them in and used them during the stepping of the spar. The ability to go aloft anytime is something I never thought about but was pleasantly surprised how well the steps worked.
When we sailed the boat up the Hudson river I pulled the sticks myself just south of Albany NY. Having the steps made it possible to do so without help. When I re-stood the mast back in Buffalo it was then an there I decided maybe having the steps was not so bad. Since that point I regularly head up to inspect and adjust. I even remove my wind transducer prior to pulling the spar in the fall so it does not get damaged by the crane cable.
When I am at the top I tie off and use a climbing belt to keep myself secure. At this point in my life I am keeping those steps. I have never used the mast climber but I suspect that they move around. Steps in holes do not and they feel as solid as a rock. Ya they aren't that sexy looking but they sure do make the boat look like a hard core cruiser. Even my twenty something kid has changed his mind and now agrees those steps are really pretty cool, not pretty but sure do work well.
We do also carry a hard bottom chair on board as well. It comes in handy when you are somewhere between the bottom and top and need to spend some time there. I climb the steps and someone ties the chair off at the desired height and I sit in the chair. To stop along the way with any steps means one foot is high and one foot is low and very quickly the foot that is carrying all the load isn't happy.
One other benefit that rigid installed steps have is that I use them to snake my halyards through to keep the halyards from banging on the spar when not sailing. I winch the halyard tight and then pull it over the end of a step to keep it away from the mast and increase the tension and distance.
Dale
Again, thanks to all who have responded. A difference of opinion
pro steps - anti steps, so I'll have to give this some serious thought.
Dale, I take it your steps are screwed or pop riveted to the mast,
not easily removable, as this product claims. Do you have any
views on this? I was sort of intrigued by the concept of being
able to remove them as I retreated down the the mast. But, I'm
wondering do you think rain water might be a problem with the
steps out?
ah
Al,
My steps are similar in design to those you are considering but only use the top two holes. There is a leg that goes down and simply rests on the mast. To remove them you simply hinge up and pull outward. I will try to get a picture. I have never had one fall out but you could remove the entire mast full in a few minutes, or for that matter install them as you climb. I would not recommend that, (installing while you climb) as the body uses every single mussel while aloft and fatigue is always an issue steps, chair or mast climber. Just climbing the spar is effort enough even when the boat is on the hard, swaying side to side is another issue. Its a long way down and the body adjusts with white knuckle instincts.
I would think with empty holes rain maybe an issue but with the steps installed I notice nothing much.
See if you can find someone with a mast climber setup and try it out before you make a decision.
Dale
For what it's worth, I too have the ATN Mast Climber and absolutely hate it. It is very awkward to operate and generally a pain in the @ss. The next time I pull the stick, I am installing folding steps. I've listened to all the negatives, but in the end, fixed mast steps make it very quick and east to get up the mast. Isn't that the point? Cheers
PS - If anyone wants to buy a slightly used ATN Mast Climber, I'll be in Annapolis for the boat show and will sell it for a good price.