Getting aloft with safety

Fold flat design - secure and rattle free

The first is the simplest: Mast Step (Folding Steps)

These are individual injection moulded Nylon/Glass steps manufactured in the Netherlands. They need professional fixing by rivets to the mast. The main benefits are that they are always ready for use and they can be folded flat against the mast, when not in use. You flip them open as you ascend and close them as you come down. They are lightweight; each step weighs only 165 grams. They carry a safe working load of 140kg (310llbs).

Price: £14.25 each. They are available in Grey, white and black.

Contact: Pro-Boat Ltd Tel: 01621 785455. URL:www.proboat.co.uk.

Mastep

This system is a folding ladder. At either end there are two open side cheeks, with the rungs omitted. These cheeks are drawn together to accept a shackle. The lower shackle is attached to the deck, lower mast or boom, while the upper shackle is secured to the halyard or topping lift which is to be used to raise the ladder.

The halyard is then drawn or winched in until the ladder is taut. The user now climbs the ladder clasping the mast with both hands as he ascends. Spacers have been provided on the ladder to hold it far enough away from the mast to ensure that a good foothold may be achieved. It can be tied at intervals to the mast for extra security. These ties counteract the tendency for the ladder to pull away from the mast when the climber's weight comes into force.

Price: Mastep mast Inspection Ladder (£20.00/metre), made to any length.

Contact: URL: http://www.mortonboats.co.uk.

Made from heavy-duty polyester webbing

Easy-Climb Flexible ladder

Fitted with slides to suit the masts luff groove, the Easy-Climb is hoisted on the mainsail halyard. It is easy to feed into the mast track. As the webbing straps are flexible there can be some discomfort if your foot stays too long in one place. When not in use the ladder is stowed away in the small neat bag provided.

The product has reinforced foot straps. For safety the manufacturers recommend the use of a climbing harness or a bosuns chair. But In an emergency the Easy Climb can be used single-handed.

Contact: Westaway Sails. Tel: 01752 89256. URL: www.westawaysails.co.uk.

Fold flat design - secure and rattle free

Get Up

As with the Easy-Climb the Get Up slides easily up the mast groove, allowing you to work with your hands free, with the aid of an adjustable-height safety strap.

Manufactured from a polyester webbing, it is capable of supporting more than 300lb. For comfort, the footholds are reinforced with the same thick webbing, keeping them open to slide your feet in with ease.

The product is supplied with different types of sail slides to fit your mast groove which come in four standard designs and sizes. Lengths from 25ft to 40ft as standard however, other lengths can be made to order with delivery normally seven to ten days from receipt of the order.

Alternative versions are available with Velcro straps or bolt rope in place of the sail slides suitable for use with in- mast reefing or -furling systems, locating into the small staysail track alongside the main one.

Contact: Hurst Marine Tel/Fax:+44 (0) 1245 258420. Mobile:+44 (0) 7802 712766. URL:www.hurst-marine.fsnet.co.uk/. E-mail:gerry@hurst-marine.fsnet.co.uk.

Fold flat design - secure and rattle free

Deffee's Mast Ladders

The only system with rigid steps. Attached to three lines of 25mm webbing. This mast ladder is easy to climb, with full sized 34cm treads affording you a stable comfortable platform to work from and giving you easy reach well above your masthead. Compact, not taking up much more room than two medium-sized fenders it can be stowed in a bag, To use you just lower your mainsail, secure the Mast Ladder to the halyards. Hoist the ladder feeding the slides into the mast track one by one, the ladder can be ready to be climbed in just a few minutes, even if you are single-handed. Designed by an ex RAF engineer for his own use each one is custom made.

Contact: Telephone/fax:+44 (0) 1352 780719. Mobile:+44 (0) 7779 433110. URL:www.deffees-yachtmastladders.co.uk.

In summary

Whichever system you choose, for safety you must wear a climbing harness or use a bosun's chair if another crew member is available. You can also use a prussic knot on a fixed separate halyard to help prevent a free fall. It is widely used by climbers. You slide the knot up as you climb but it will take your weight if you slip.