Can mast be left standing

[Ian McColgin]

In general this should be no problem, everything depending. I always slack my rig for winter a bit anyway and the mast will happily stay up with what amounts to nominal stay tension if you're not sailing.

A stick of that size likely has uppers and lowers. I'd recommend working a pair of chainplates at a time so you can leave good athwartships support on at all times. If the mast bows when the lowers are off, slack the uppers. If the mast tip wobbles too much when the uppers are off, try adding them with just a bit of tension on to the plates holding the lowers.

Assuming that you're working in a reasonably sheltered anchorage or at a dock, all you really need do in confine the movement a bit. On Goblin, my old 43 Alden schooner with a 65' (heel to truck) main mast I had new shrouds for both masts dangling rough cut for almost a week while I measured and made the bottom eyes.

G'luck

Ian