I used a screw driver on my TheMightyHobie18 without problem (except when it rusted through and broke).

I dont own that boat anymore. I now have a mystere 5.5 and since it utilizes the tunnbuckle system it is alot more difficult pulling out a pin after its tightened (or putting in to step it down). I try not to tighten the forstay all the way before removing the pin, but with all my new spin hardware, if i am solo-rigging, this gets tricky.

I have seen the line method used on G-cats, Darts, and others....

If you didnt use a step pin in your N6... what did you use? or did you just put enough forward/downward pressur to keep the mast in place?