Some people fabricate a mast crutch located at the mast step for when the stick is down.
My boat has a bow pulpit, but no stern pushpit. I have an X style crutch at the transom that fits into the slight sump where the cockpit drain is. It is sized to hold the mast pretty level with the mast on a support across the bow pulpit. This is fine for trailering. But when I tarp the boat for the winter, I don't think the mast is properly supported to use as a ridge pole for the tarp, when considering potential snow load. (I am also lucky in that my lifeline stanchions are removable, making the tarp go at a pretty good angle from peak to gunwale.) Anyway, I have added a second X style crutch that fits just behind the cabin, where there is a gap between cabin and seat. This 3rd support stiffens the mast to an impressive degree, so I don't worry about potential snow load. I could fab a crutch right at the mast step, but I don't really think I need it. There's never enough time in the Fall, so I haven't bothered.
