I think the reason that mono-slugs carry bolt cutters is to be able to cut the standing rigging loose in an emergency if they dismast. They usually dismast in rough weather, and lugging a mast along side a boat out of control in rough seas usually means trouble. It is a matter of time before the mast impales itself through the hull or does all kinds of damage banging against the side. (And, you know what happens to a mono-slug with a hole in it.) This is a quick fix by just dumping the mast. At least they'll stay floating and have a chance motoring back. I have demasted at least a half a dozen times on my cats, and have yet to see a need to ever cut the rig away. That's because the mast isn't that big and you can just man handle it back on the boat. Plus, when this happens, we're not exactly a 100 miles off shore either, and help shows up pretty quickly.

Just my 2 cents.

Don