mast steps are a bad idea

[anderbra]

A friend tells me that mast steps are a bad idea because hallyards get cought on them.

I'm thinking of placing two folding steps, at the same level, about four feet from the top of the mast, just in case I need to do any prolonged work there in the future.

my questions are:
Should I bother going up the mast just for step installation purposes (of course while there I'll check the conditions of everything else)?

Does anybody with folding mast steps installed share my friend's opinion?

Thank you for any opinions.

[merc2dogs]

If it's been a while since the mast has been inspected, I'd make the trip to install and inspect, but if you've recently inspected, take your time and do it at your next inspection trip.

Ken.

[jrd22]

I had fixed mast steps for a long time, only had halyards get hung up once or twice and it took about 10 seconds to free them. Definitely a big advantage when you need to go up the stick. I'm sure they create some windage, but folding steps would be minimal. All in all I think they are an advantage.

John

[Omatako]

On my previous boat I had steps made of 4mm stainless roundbar that have minimal windage and are shaped not too different from a stirrup. I prefer these because when you have to go up the rig in a sea (it happens!) your feet can't slip out of the step as easily. The fold-away ones have a small lip on the outer edge to prevent slipping which IMHO is inadequate.

I had two occasions to go up the mast on that boat whilst I was alone at sea, without the steps I wouldn't have been able to. A pair of track shoes made my feet really snug in the steps and allowed considerable confidence going up the rig without someone belaying me with a halyard. There were a few times when halyards got tangled but the benefits of having steps easily overrides that problem.

I intend putting the same steps on my present boat before any long voyage - I believe them to be essential on a long passage.

[sailingdog]

Aside from windage, additional weight aloft and catching halyards...all of which can be minimised by choosing the right step design, IMHO, having some mast steps, particularly below the first set of spreaders to the deck and near the mast head are a good idea.

The reason I don't think you really need them all along the mast, is that the places you really need them are where I indicated above. When you're working on the mast head, it is good to have some steps there to help take the weight off of the bosun's chair or climbing harness. They also will let you get up higher to work on the masthead itself, which some climbing solutions don't do.

The reason for having them up to the first spreaders is so that you can climb up quickly to look for things like coral reef heads, which are easier to spot the higher up you are.

[SEMIJim]

Before adding permanent mast steps, I'd consider a Mast Mate.

Jim

[camaraderie]

I think mast steps are a waste if you have an alternate way of getting up and down when needed EXCEPT if you are going to be in coral waters where having steps up to the spreaders can help you spot the heads.

[billyruffn]

Mast steps on BR are shown in the photo below. I think they're are preferable to the open-sided type because your footing is much more secure, especially if you have to climb the mast while heeling. The disadvantage is that things can get caught on them, but the solution is pretty easy. Note the "line" running up the outside edge of the steps in the photo. It's a length of 1/2" wide AL bar that's welded to each of the steps.

A year or so before I had this done I tied a small line to each step in the same position the AL bar is in now. The line worked as well as the more permanent solution now in place.

The bar doesn't extend down to the first step on either side as this would have required expensive modifications to the sail cover.

I haven't had anything caught on the steps since we made this simple modification.

[Valiente]

BF: I've seen this one before. If line alone worked, why may I ask did you weld bar to them? This is one case where I think 5 mm Dyneema would interest me.

[Omatako]

I guess I should have qualified my above response by saying that mast steps are useful if you're sailing alone or with someone not strong enough to winch you to the top of the mast (my wife).

Things to do other than scoping out coral? Masthead sheaves, radar scanner (I've had a belt jump off more than once), radar reflector, lost halyards, stuck top furler bearing, tricolor/anchor light, there is actually quite a long list.

On my present boat I have Batcars so Mastmate I believe is not an option.