Mine comes down every winter but is keel stepped and I prefer a bone dry bilge in the winter months. I don't like eco systems happening in my boat due to the high moisture content of a wet mast sump. I prefer to have my spar stored under cover too as ti allows me to leave my halyards on and check my wiring, lights and transducers every season.. My yard is very, very careful and I have never even had so much as a scratch. Cost me about $350.00 extra but an expense I find to be worth it for our boat. Also our yard makes it VERY clear that if your boat goes over in a wind storm with the mast up that you are 100% liable for the damages it causes. Make sure your policy will fix up to a million+ in yachts if you start a domino effect...