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I'm going to install mast steps on my DE32. Just wondering what sort of advice anyone may have with regards to the material and fasteners to use. I've been looking at both the folding and fixed steps and despite the opportunities for the halyard getting getting fouled now and again I think I am leaning towards the fixed type. They just seem foolproof and robust. The question then arises of how to affix them.
The local boat/rigging shop are really pushing stainless rivets, a fellow boater here is pushing the aluminum rivets claiming that the corrosion due to dissimilar is too much of a disadvantage. I'm still not sold that rivet will be strong enough (though everyone seems to swear by them).
I have no other need to remove the mast on the boat so I plan on tackling this from the chair. That brings me to the next question...Does anyone know the thickness of the mast. If rivets are used then the exact thickness must be known. This seems to be a very opinionated topic so I'm curious to hear everyones view on it.
Cheers
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- Scratch said:
I'm going to install mast steps on my DE32. Just wondering what sort of advice anyone may have with regards to the material and fasteners to use. I've been looking at both the folding and fixed steps and despite the opportunities for the halyard getting getting fouled now and again I think I am leaning towards the fixed type. They just seem foolproof and robust. The question then arises of how to affix them.
The local boat/rigging shop are really pushing stainless rivets, a fellow boater here is pushing the aluminum rivets claiming that the corrosion due to dissimilar is too much of a disadvantage. I'm still not sold that rivet will be strong enough (though everyone seems to swear by them).
I have no other need to remove the mast on the boat so I plan on tackling this from the chair. That brings me to the next question...Does anyone know the thickness of the mast. If rivets are used then the exact thickness must be known. This seems to be a very opinionated topic so I'm curious to hear everyones view on it.
Cheers
I would also like to have mast steps on my 32, have you thought of self tapping screws? my major setback is the cost of the steps. looks like most are about $18 each so I was thinking of making them by bending alum. I havent had my mast down so I have no idea who thick it is.
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I know you'd prefer fixed to folding steps, but here's a pic of my installation on Bodhran.
The steps are spaced out 21" apart staggered from side to side, so the
steps on each side are 42" apart. I use the spreaders to stand on and
skip a step there. There are two steps at the same height at the top to
work on the mast head. I ended up using 19 steps total, 9 port and 10
starboard. I used stainless fasteners coated with lanacote and haven't
had any problems with corrosion….so far. I don't like rivits, but I
haven't used them all that much. The one boat that I went aloft on with
fixed mast steps used rivets and most of the steps were a bit loose and
wiggled around while you were climbing. Still, I'd probably goop them
up with lanacote and use SS rivets instead of aluminum. They're just
too soft and will probably not be the same alloy of aluminum as your
mast and still have some galvanic issues. If you do use rivets, I just
measured Bodhran's mast best I could through an unused screw hole and I
get about 7mm.
Hope that helps,
Jason
DE32 Bodhran
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Mine, on 'Pelli', are fixed and fastened with fine thread 1/4 s/s machine screws (mast holes tapped) and loktite. About as secure as you can get! I love them and have had no trouble with halyards getting caught, in fact they are quite useful for purposely wrapping the latter to prevent them flapping on the mast.
Tim
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You could make nice fixed steps out of stainless or aluminum flat bar yourself.. I already had folding steps such as bohdran has up to the spreaders. I purchased more from a guy for $10 apiece used to extend them to the mast top from the spreaders.. I think I bought 1/4 inch machine screws with a countersunk head? to match the holes in the folding steps. The Screws are stainless and I will have to drill and tap the holes in the mast.. Locktite rules 🙂
scott
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I think I'm sold. I'm going with the folding steps. I've found them locally for less than $20 a piece. Not the cheapest choice but I think in the end it will be a cleaner install. I agree with the tapped holes...It will make for good fun from the bosuns chair!
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