For Sale: Aluminum Mast Steps

[Celestialsailor]

So you manufacture these yourself? Are you a company? What type of aluminum?

[dandkg]

we needed some for our boat, had dies made and made few more to try to recoup our investment. we knew there was a need for aluminum mast steps to deal with different metals being put together so we made few more to help cruisers like ourself .

[scurvy dog]

why didn't you just say that from the beginning instead of saying you ran across these from a friend? why not tell the truth from the start?

[keyspc]

Bout how many needed for 38ft ? 1 every two ft would be enough I'd think.
Im a fat 198 #
Shipping to 32935 (melbourne FL - US)

[dandkg]

thanks for your concern.i discussed with a friend who is a tool and die maker about no one making aluminum mast steps so he did the rest and here we are. thanks duane

[dandkg]

that sounds about right some books say every 18" but it's whatever is comfortable for you. i've split the difference i have 20 on 36' mast. we can fit 30 steps in us postal flat rate box s/h $20,,, thanks duane

[dandkg]

OK FINALLY HAVE NEW PICTURES FOR THESE MAST STEPS! JUST GOT OUR SET CHROME POWDER COATED AND INSTALLED. THEY LOOK GREAT AND ARE REALLY STURDY! CHECK THEM OUT! https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sred...PgE&feat=email

[Jcrabb]

What hardware did you use to attach them to the mast?

[dandkg]

i used 3/16 aluminum rivets...holes are punched 3/16. we didn't want to have different metals together so everything aluminum, mast,steps and rivets thanks

[gjordan]

18 inches is a good spacing. 24 inches if you are young and agile, and think you are going to stay that way. On my first cruising boat I made the mistake of putting the step just above the spreaders on the opposite side as the step below the spreaders when it should have been on the same side, since you use the spreaders as a step. It might seem obvious, but when you are hanging from a bosuns chair with a rented pop rivet gun ,thinking is a little harder. I sheered the bottom step of the first time that I reefed at night and got the halyard caught on it. An old salt told me to whip 80 or 100 lb test fishing leader on the outside of the steps from top to bottom, and I never got one caught after that. I also did a double step near the top of the mast so that working at the top, you could be supported with both feet, rather than one. It made a big difference. I put steps on all three of my cruising boats and will on my next boat. I think they are a real plus for cruisers. Just my 2 cents worth. ____Grant.

[dandkg]

thanks that's what we did,,,we also installed 2 just below spreaders so we can go up to and hang on to spreaders while we reef watch or just get up higher to look around. they're very handy and safe comfortable climb up @ 18" spacing

[viggen_eh]

I like the design. What is the price of the white powder coated mast steps?

[Blue Crab]

I'm tempted but the other night it blew 40 for awhile with a gust of 47. I think I have all the windage aloft I can stand already. I'm thinking of getting rid of my headstay foil. Fluttering is not a strong enough description of what it was doing. I think the couple of times a year I need to get up there, I'll hire a rigger.

Roun' heah we gots the hurrycanes, mon.

[SimonV]

Don't use aluminum rivets thay have poor shear strength. Use monel rivets.

Sent from my GT-N7105T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[dandkg]

thanks the plain aluminum steps are $10 and powder-coated $15