MAST Step Fitting Procedure
Caution:
Do not neglect the standard safety procedures – wear a harness and have a safety line attached.
It is recommended that the operation is carried out by two people whenever working up the mast!
Fitting Instructions:
1- Measure section of mast requiring steps. The optimum distance between the steps is 375mm.
There should be two opposite each other approximately 1200mm from the top of the mast.
( No steps are required at the spreaders)
2- Working upward, fit the steps on alternate sides of the mast, with 375mm space between steps,
until the top position. This has steps on both sides.
3- Tape a sheet of sandpaper over the marked position.
4- Sand the saddle section of the step until it fits the curvature of the mast.
5- Mark the rivet holes on the mast and check them.
6- Drill holes taking care not to damage wiring, ropes halyards etc. inside the mast.
7- Before riveting, insert step into the saddle, insert the rivets into the rivets holes and check that the
steps fit snugly against the mast.
8- Use blind monel or copper nickel rivets to suit the thickness of your mast, smeared with a
corrosion protection paste and rivet into place.
9- Check each step to ensure it secure.
If in doubt consult with a suitable professional.
It is recommended that a suitable professional fit the mast step!
Limited Warranty:
In the event manufacturing defects are detected with in six months of purchase, the mast step will be replaced free of charge. Liability is limited to the reimbursement cost of the mast step. All other warranties are expressly disclaimed especially the fixing of the mast step to the mast. It is recommended that a suitable professional fits the mast steps. The Mast Step is suitable for one person only to a max. load of 140kg/ 310 lbs.
Mast Step
How many yachtsmen have struggled to reach the gooseneck, the highest reef point or the top of the sail cover by attempting to balance on a halyard, winch or something even smaller? Well now there's a quick and simple solution for this risky and dangerous activity. Now available are the new "lightweight, rattle free, aesthetic, strong and foldable" mast steps. These steps are easily unobtrusively fitted to the mast providing safe and secure footholds while climbing or working the mast.
The "Mast Step" is manufactured from a special combination of "Nylon/Glass fibre" which together with its design gives the step enormous strength. With a 3% additive, it makes the mast step UV resistant and prevents material degradation.
The steps weighs only 165grams each (weight is always a consideration for products up a mast), and when folded does not snag ropes or sails due to the 'snag-free' design. At anchor or on a mooring the steps do not rattle in the wind and there is a choice of colours to match the mast - white, black and grey. The steps are placed on opposite sides of the mast with a recommended spacing of 375mm and two opposite each other 1200mm down from the top of the mast for stable and safe working on sheaves, halyards and masthead instruments.
Due to its construction and the materials used, it is easy to adjust the step to fit the radius of the mast. Simply tape a sheet of sand paper at the position where the step is to be fitted, rub the saddle of the step up and down until the step snugly fit's the mast curvature. When using the steps to climb the mast, one simply unfolds the steps in front as one ascends and folds them behind him as you descend the mast. The steps also provide a secure foothold but it is always stronglyrecommended to use a harness with a safety line attached.
There are many benefits of using the new reinforced "Nylon/Glass Fibre" Mast Step:
- Lightweight
- Corrosion free
- No rattling
- No electrolysis as with stainless steel fitted to aluminium
- Available in three colours to match the colour of the mast