My impression after reading these types of messages over the past few years is that annual mast removal is more common the further north the boat is. I believe it is uncommon to routinely remove the mast for annual storage among boats on the Chesapeake Bay. In fact, one yacht yard in Annapolis charged me almost as much to store the mast out of the boat ($6/day–just for the mast) as it charged to store the boat. The only reason the stick was down was because I had just trucked the boat down from Massachusetts. After that, the mast has always been left up.
In contrast, when the previous owner had the boat in Massachusetts, he removed the mast and stored it on top of the boat (along with the wishbone boom) every winter.
I can see the advantage of removing the mast periodically, but around here the economics may work against that practice.
Jim Cosgrove
Fate 30U #343
Galesville, MD
I also recommend mastless storage for the same reasons
I haul every year for about a month or so. Since I use ablative bottom paint and it is cleaned regularly, one coat is gone so I scuff it up and apply one more. As to the mast, each year, prior to hauling, it is inspected by the yard via bucket. Normally every 2 or 3 years I pull it for my own inspection.
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
I take the stick down, annually, when the boat sits on the hard. But, astutely, you point out that the further north, the more common the practise of pulling the stick. Obviously, as in my case, my boat sits on the hard for six, long (way too long … ), cold, unmoving months.
I think that in many cases, Nonsuchers can get away with leaving the stick up but… is it really worth it ?? The damage that can/will occur around the partners and on deck in the general vicinity of the partners will be substantial.
It’s not a big job to de-mast/mast and if you don’t, human nature being what it is, you’ll get USED to leaving the stick up, for years, and you’ll “put off” essential inspections, etc.
Remember, our boats are built to go to war in … except for our TWO-PIECE masts. They are fine but require a good look-see and routine work. Doing that while the mast is up ain’t fun.