[VIEXILE]

If your deck hardware is well bedded and there is a good compression post setup below the mast, it should not be a problem. Until last year, I hadn''t dropped my mast (in Maine) since 1995. The yard would probably do more damage banging the mast around stepping and unstepping than could occur simply by leaving the mast standing. Winterize and prevent water intrusion (snow rain) well and it won''t hurt to leave the mast up. You might think about yanking the halyards so they don''t beat themselves to death.....