i made a 'gin pole' mast stepper from a tapered (spar quality) 2 x 4. i looked at the 'mast stepper' diagrams and figured it out. its sooo much more relaxing to just crank the mast up with a wench...i mean winch ; ) doing the work. i remember too many times hoisting the mast over my head while wobbling around on the tramp, then having a shroud get hung up on a rear corner post. then what??? with the 'gin pole' mast stepper, i can raise and lower it as much as i want, clear the shrouds, drink a beer and have a conversation, whatever. no stress, matey. i made mine from scraps, i imagine the commercial version is even better.