I leave my mast up with the normal tension I sail with. I keep thinking that I should release it but then wouldn't you do just as much damage if it is given just enough room to lightly slap back and forth?
I saw an I20 a couple of weeks ago that had been sitting for a long time at a sailing club (years). The shroud pins had nearly worn through the chainplates in the hulls and lacked only about 1/16" of material.
