Hi all,
I have the need to install mast steps on my 34 Vande Stadt aluminium mast and was wondering if I could call upon the brains trust for any tips / pro's and cons and whether full steps or foldaway style are better than the other, distance apart etc?
Also what fixings to use? Anything Like Duralac or similar for corrosion resistance?
Ive never had the need to install them before but I am going to be doing solo sailing on this boat and it will be up to me to be my own rescue and halyard retrieval deckhand.
For the record, I'm no lightweight, (not unhealthy, just a bigger rig of a bloke) so my size 13 deck shoes need to fit on them as well.

That you all in advance

DIY? If you do, and make a bending frame, just make it wide enough for your feet.


this is from another website.

Dave has a design that is similar to above but a little lighter.
Neat idea.
gary

The supply from Whitworths is no longer available as the elderly gentleman who made them [in Perth I Believe]
retired as no-one wanted his small business.

Having done this up the mast before I can confirm that you should expect at least 6 hours up the mast!!!!!!

Excellent videos there.

For video 1;

Uses 30x5 aluminium flatbar grade 6082 the temper is not indicated probably T6. Uses aluminium rivets but the size is not indicated - it might be 3/16" as this is the largest rivet that can be clenched with the normal rivet hand gun - 1/4" needs a concertina rivet gun like the 2nd video gun so probably a hire job for this. 2 rivets up top, 2 below, 2 for the extra doubler plate stiffener bar on the rung. The use of 3M 5200 is good but it is not a sealant - it is an adhesive sealant and the strongest single pack polyurethane that I know of but might need a primer for aluminium to aluminium. See here; Would not rely on this for the strength load case of the steps to the mast rather the rivets. For sure use the 5200 as well on the mating surfaces of the rungs to the mast.

multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/158782O/adhesive-sealant-5200-tech-data.pdf

So would use monel rivets - 3/16" could be ok depending how much of a big rig unit you are - 13 size feet would indicate something serious. Are we talking about 100kg or 120 or 140? Sorry - just asking. Suggest you make up a trial step and load test it including a bit of dynamic loading as would occur at sea.

Tefgel is a lot better than Duralac. Use Tefgel to isolate the monel rivets from the aluminium mast and steps.

30x5 alum flatbar doesn't seem to be a standard size here - see Edcon for standard sizes in grade 6060 T5 which should be suitable.

www.edconsteel.com.au/store/products/metal/aluminium/flat-bar

For video 2;

Uses 3mm aluminium flat bar and forms a bend in it to avoid the extra doubler plate stiffener bar on the rung - this is a nightmare to do would not tackle this. He uses 1/4" rivets - (material is not mentioned but I might have missed it) needing the concertina rivet gun as above. So only 3 holes per step in the mast which is good but fabricating each step with that bend in the rung is a real task. Note that hole spacing should be 2.5 times the hole diameter and edge spacing 1.25 hole diameter.

See here for step spacing - 40cm seems an average but you might need something else. And the top 2 steps should be on the same relative height level so you can service the masthead in "comfort".

www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f116/what-distance-should-mast-steps-have-167277.html

Thank you all folks !!

I haven't had a chance to to go through all vids ( at sea atmo and this vessel doesn't allow such luxury download ) but as soon as this Patrol is done I shall be into it. And yes r13, I tip the scales at 115kgs so the tips on a prototype step due to the dynamic loading while at sea are spot on - again so def no offence taken!!
I will endeavour to post pics of progress along the way.

Le' Pig.

Ok goodo. See page 7 of this the shear strength of 3/16" monel rivets is 900lb (408kg) and for 1/4" 1200lb (544kg).

www.ausriveting.com.au/static/pdfs/Rivets.pdf

Sorry the hole spacing and edge distance criteria given before were for steel - for aluminium see here page 2 item 1 the normal rivet hole to hole spacing is 4x diameter and edge distance 2x diameter.

www.itwbuildex.com/pdf/RR%2025915_2016.pdf

This link suggests 2.5xdiameter for edge distance of csunk rivets so that would indicate 5xdiameter for hole spacing of csunk rivets.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/rivet-edge-distance-dave-chamberlin?trk=articles_directory

I personally don't like mast steps, folding or otherwise. If you use steps you are going to still require a harness for safety. Steps have the advantage you can take your weight on your feet at the masthead and not have the circulation cut off at your thighs with the problems that can arise there!
I would suggest you make one of these and experiment. Practice in your backyard. To work properly you have to have the equipment on a tensioned halyard so it is actually pretty similar to a ladder once you are at the top.







There are obviously bought versions out there but these are cheap and easy to make.