I  appreciate your interest in the Mast Mate Climbing System , an efficient single-handed mast ladder and the practical Tool Bag Work belt. The Mast Mate attaches firmly to the sail track at every step and the belt allows freedom of movement with security. Combined they make working aloft a simple, easy, and most importantly safe experience. Since 1985 thousands have been sold with a money back return rate of less than 3%. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, are tired of searching the docks for a winch slave, are not a gymnast, are stubbornly independent, and want to reduce your yard bills, this system is for you. Buy one and try it , if not satisfied all that is lost is the return shipping cost. Look at the video and check out the rest of the web site to get a comprehensive understanding of the system.

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SEE MAY 2008 MAST MATE REVIEW IN SOUTHWEST SAILING MAGAZINE

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6/15/10 Hey Gary!  Had some fun with the mast mate this weekend and have some observations that may be obvious to you and some photos... I had the chance to climb to the spreaders 2-3 times this weekend and to the top twice today....some observations and tips for your consideration... 1. In raising the mastmate up the mast track, the wind was blowing from the stern quarter fairly strongly- the web and steps actually ‘cock’ with the wind and the extended steps can actually (and occasionally) catch under the lower shrouds/spreaders....In a couple of cases, I actually tacked up some of the leeward steps with a clothespin to raise the mastmate, then as I climb, remove the clothespin.  This shouldn’t be a challenge where the wind is forward of the beam or quiet... 2. The 17 inch separation for the steps seemed a big step the first time I tried it- First time up, my theory was to wear long pants and heavy construction boots- figuring that the steel soles would be easier to stand on and the big treads would be safer in the step/straps.  The first time I went up however I found the long pants constricting on my ability to raise my knees and the big thick soles meant I had to raise my legs even higher...the treads also caught on the straps more.  So, I switched to fairly sturdy deck shoes and short pants and found it considerably easier to climb... 3. The ‘linesman’ belt works very well-  I added a deck harness to the mix which I attach to a halyard- a person on the deck then simply takes up the slack as I ascend and slackens as I climb down... I also had a new insight....regardless of whether you go up in a bosuns chair or on the mastmate, its bloody high!  I kept looking in the box to see if they had thrown in a hirsute dwarf who would ascend the mast in my place....no luck I’m afraid.  That said, practicing on the unit by climbing up to the first spreaders several times before doing the final assault on Everest makes one much more confident....Going up to the masthead several times today really raised my comfort with going up and I really have to say that I prefer this method of going up the mast way above the traditional approach...I couldn’t have done any of the finicky above-the-mastcap stuff today if my head was below the top in a bosuns chair....I also would’ve killed any group of three deck apes raising and lowering me several times as I had to go up and down to troubleshoot the masthead sending unit....Once I got the hang of it, however, it was really just climbing and descending a ladder.... So...while I don’t expect to be going up the mast all that often, I will now go up when I need to....I attach some pictures... JOHN W ___________________________ John;      Great shots--thanks, and I appreciate your observastions and compliment you on your creative solutions. I will publish your email and a couple of the photos as well. You look good up there--gary More Testimonials

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STIFFENERS FOR THE TOP ADJACENT STEPS INCLUDED

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VIDEO

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COMPARE MM TO OTHER SYSTEMS

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USED MAST MATES

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I have worked on boats professionally for 30 years. If you have repair or restoration questions feel free to ask at Questions.
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SINGLE-HANDER.. RESOURCE PAGE