Oh, I got ya. I used to tie a saftey line in a similar way when i first got this boat and was very unsure about putting the boat on backwards so i would step down the mast over my car.

I had recently stopped doing that but perhaps i will start again. It sure seems simple enough and could "save the day".

I did have a mast step hinge break on me one time when i was taking my hobie mast down. that wasnt fun (esp for my gf who was in the back of the trailer ready to "catch".