Many times
It is fairly easy to drop the mast down (and get it back up) as long as you have some extra people. It is simply too heavy for one person to deal with. Use you jib halyard fastened securely to another line which is run through a block and secured to a sound location at the bow. This allows fairly good control of the drop and raise processes. ("A frames" and other devices could be used, but I don't think them necessary) With the jib halyard secured, at least one person at the mast, and another person in the cockpit (to eventually catch the mast, the forestay can be detached and upper and lower shrouds should be loosened a bit. Then the pin toward the bow located at the base of the mast removed. Wiggle the mast a little while removing the pin if it binds. Place a fairly thick cushion/life jacket. etc on top of the companion way hatch as close to the aft end as possible. This will temporarily hold the weight of the mast once it is lowered and it is necessary to provide some protection. With the bow pin and forestay removed, the mast can be dropped toward the stearn and the drop can be controlled by the line attached to the jib halyard. The thing gets rather heavy after about half way and control will move from the halyard to the person next to the mast and person in the cockpit. (this is whee an "A Frame" approach has an advantage) From half way on the person at the mast must control the drop and make certain it is not too quick and that the person in the cockpit doesn't receive an unexpected drop of the mast. Once the cockpit person has control, there is little chance of any other problems. Gets a little spooky until that control is established, though. When it is down and resting on the cushion, you can use the cockpit person for control, remove the other mast pin, and move the mast forward. I find it easier to raise the mast on my 25.5 than to drop it. The process is simply reversed. Just remember to have everyone present to watch the shrouds carelully on the way up. If you don't keep an eye on all shrouds, particularly close to the turnbuckles, you may get kinks or bends in shrouds or fittings.
