Installing Mast Steps (Folding vs Fixed)

[rebel heart]

Well, that's $400 or so, and the mast steps are $680, so that's not too much of a difference; either way it's expensive.

If I wasn't going to take the spar down, I might entertain something more like the mast mate. But since I'm dropping the thing anyway, adding mast steps won't be as difficult. Thanks everyone for your help, and please keep the suggestions coming!

[Lancerbye]

Rebel heart
For a 40 foot mast you should only need 20 plus an extra at the masthead and at the spreaders. You shouldn't need them across from each other except at the locations where you would normally work. I have a bosun's chair but I like having both options.

[rebel heart]

Well, 40', spaced every 2', is 20. But that's just one side, right? I thought it was 2' between them on each side.

[Lancerbye]

You can do it that way if you want to but they are usually staggered, otherwise step height difference would only be 1 foot. Small steps. good if you have short legs.LOL

[rebel heart]

Hahaha.. I get it now. I'm sure I would have noticed that when I did my practice drilling on a 2x4. I don't even know if they'd fit that tight together; my dimensions would have them nearly on top of eachother.

So if I spaced them every 4', on each side, the distance from my left foot (on a step), and the next step I'd need to get to on the right foot would only be 2'.

Now I get it! Well that cuts the cost down to $300 and change then; much nicer.

[Lancerbye]

See , just saved you a bunch of money. You can send 20% of the savings to ......Hahaha. Now that frees up cash for other toys. The marine supply stores love us.

[hawkeyejsk]

Thanks for all the collected wisdom guys. I have decided to go with just 2 folding aluminum steps so that I can stand on something when working the masthead (I have to replace a broken masthead sheave, which means I can't use my Jumar/bosun's chair rig on the remaining main halyard.)
John, Sirena 38, HAWKEYE

[cantxsailor]

I bent some of my own from 1/8" x 1.5" aluminum flat stock. I built a bending jig so I could do the rest (13total) but have not yet gotten the job done. My mast is only 25ft above deck. I have a MastMate but the "rungs" are to far apart for my fat stumpy legs to negotiate safely. Left leg seems ok but it's a fight for every one on the right side and I refuse to be the afternoon entertainment for any of you lot. Fat guys should not climb masts but since I'm the only person I trust to do most jobs on my boat I have to go on up. Is it possible to waddle vertically?..........m