I store my boat mast up so I don't have to take it down much. I can tell you that raising the mast solo is nearly impossible because mine doesn't have a captive system. It usually take 2 men and a dog to step or unstep the darn thing. I usually recruit some innocent bystander to hookup my forestay while I lift the mast. That way if the mast falls, it is not as likely to clobber the innocent bystander.

-Rob V.
Panama City