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From: Bryan Genez (no email)
Date: Thu Jan 13 2005 - 18:01:33 EST
I've had mast steps for about 15 years. They're handy, and make the
decision to go aloft easy.
mratrie wrote:
> To my way of thinking permanent mast steps are:
>
> Noisy
Not that I've noticed.
> Add'l weight aloft
The aggregate weight of every step on my mast is maybe 5 pounds.
Insignificant.
> A pain to install (as you already know)
Yes...but it's a one-time deal, and not much more difficult than pulling
yourself up the mast on a 4 to 6-part tackle once.
> Another "system" on board (more maintenance over time)
No maintenance required.
> Add'l points for halyards (internal & external) and sails to get
> hung up on
Yes and no. When my halyards were external, they got hung up frequently.
Once I "internalized" them, the hang-ups ended. Pretty much impossible for
an internal halyard to get fouled on mast steps, unless you store them
loosely against the mast. If you tighten the halyard, it will never foul.
> How often do you find yourself up there to begin with and why?
1-2 times each season. To inspect standing rigging, mostly. Occasionally,
I service the anemometer and windex at the masthead. On a couple of
occasions, I've had to go aloft while underway to correct a problem, but
that's unusual.
Overall, they're a benefit. And while there are other methods of going
aloft, every one is much more difficult than steps.
-- Best, Bryan Genez (KB3HMZ) "Capella" Valiant 40 #158 Annapolis, MD ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Give the gift of life to a sick child. Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.' http://us.click.yahoo.com/5iY7fA/6WnJAA/Y3ZIAA/A1TolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/world-cruising/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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