Are they sailing the rig so loose that the mast pops off the base?
In a capsize, yes - the rig is loose enough so that the mast can come off the step.
Why is the rig that loose?
Because it's fast. In heavy air, you want to rake back a lot, just like a 16. On a 14, though, you go dead downwind (no tacking) so you want the mast to stand up. That's why we have those lines tied to the bridle - you pull in on that line to stand the mast up.
They are strange little boats.
Just for the record, Karl, my mast fell down becuae the bridle bolt pulled out of the hull. The halyard lashings kept the mast on the step until it was nearly horizontal.
