Looking for Mast Steps, Recommendations?

[mrybas]

I would like to add folding mast steps to my rig. Can anyone recommend a manufacturer? There are some aluminum ones on Amazon by "Sea Dog" for $20....are these any good? What material would be best (I'm guessing AL)- I have seen SS, chromed bronze, aluminum. Any recommendations on spacing them?

[SVImpunity]

I have 2 mast steps on my Bristol that I need to reach to attach the halyard. They are aluminium & lift & drop into place when not used. They have 3 mounting holes. Important not to use self tapping screws in the mast. I used captive nuts that are inserted similar to a pop rivet thereby providing a thread into which one can insert countersunk metal thread screws. The distance apart
is directly proportional to your leg length...make them so that you can step the maximum without over stretching your legs. The steps were about $25.00 each from memory.
Regards John Lake

[Sequitur]

I have forty-two folding nylon/glass-fibre MastSteps that go to within a metre of the top of my mast. They are very easy to use, light weight, strong and they do not rattle in the wind.

[MARC2012]

I have Al and they oxidize some,nothing strucual but unsightly.marc

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by Sequitur

I have forty-two folding nylon/glass-fibre MastSteps that go to within a metre of the top of my mast. They are very easy to use, light weight, strong and they do not rattle in the wind.

Can you share where you procured these steps? Most ive seen are stainless or aluminum.

[sailingdog]

I'd second getting the composite mast steps, since they're the least likely to have galvanic corrosion issues.

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I'd second getting the composite mast steps, since they're the least likely to have galvanic corrosion issues.

Exactly why I'm so curious.

I have thought about this project for a while. I dont want to use stainless on my aluminum mast...obvious galvanic issues. Less so with Aluminum, but unless the alloys used in the steps, the mast itself, and the fasteners to attach, there will be some corrosion there too.

BTW, what would you attach a composite or nylon material mast step with....5200, epoxy, something else???? I'm not sure if I trust my weight on an epoxy bond alone.

[mitiempo]

Stainless machine screws with Tefgel.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Stainless machine screws with Tefgel.

Stainless steel or monel pop rivets with tefgel or Lanocote might also work well.

[Sequitur]

Originally Posted by night0wl

Can you share where you procured these steps? Most ive seen are stainless or aluminum.

The link I supplied above leads to a website under development, and a link there leads to Mad Dog Outfitters in Edmonton, from whom I ordered my steps two or three years ago.

I attached them using TefGel on stainless capscrews in drilled and tapped holes.