I use my trailer winch to pull down on the mast when it is in the cradle. My winch has a two inch wide nylon band type of "cable". I put the slot up none the less. The far end that sticks out the back (top of mast) is cradled in a wooden frame that holds my tail lights. I split a section of hose to slip over the wood where the mast and the pontoons rest on it. Then it is tied down with a section of spectron to keep the end from bouncing.