There are things that each of us would consider "deal breakers" but I don't think anyone here would count salt water use and storage with the mast up among them unless they were accompanied by genuine flaws, such as a compromised mast step or serious blistering.

By considering a boat simply because it's been in fresh water all its life and has never had the mast left up, and ruling out the others, you may be inclined to choose a much less worthy vessel.

b t