Mast Steps

[davidsamuelson]

Hi Matt,
They look good and have some good features but...
Have you ever been up a mast when the boat is rolling in a big sea? Maybe in the rain to make it even more exciting? The first few steps are just fine but after that when you really get swung around life can get VERY unexciting, (even with enclosed steps.) You, as a climber, certainly have one big advantage: no fear, but even for you to hang on would be a chalenge when up 50'.
What people see/use in a marina is often mis-leading or downright dangerous when out at sea. For the average sailor I think your steps would be dangerous. I am sorry to be so negative when the item LOOKS so good; my halyard gets caught all the time on my steps, a real pain, but at least the steps have a certain amount of safety. I haven't ever run a line up the outside of the steps, but that seems to be a way that some people solve the halyard wrap problem.
Be careful
David