Yes, it's a common option.  You will need to rig a temporary bridal from the aft end of the boom to the midship upper shrouds on both sides to manually lower the mast.  Ideally the bridal should attach on the shrouds at the same height as the mast hinge pin.

I suspect there are some more complete instructions in one of Buds manuals.

Kevin

Here is the link to a video from 2002 of Bud Taplin lowering a mast... enjoy

http://www.westsail.org/westsailmastraising

Hey Rob , when we lowered our mast we just used the topping lift . We got away with it , If we ever did it again I would use  topping and halyard . What work are you doing to the mast ? M .

I'm putting her in a shed to have the bottom repaired properly and need to drop the stick to get her in. I'll fork out for the travel lift to lower it on the way in as it has a crane on it, but when I stand it I might try and stand it myself. Only thing is getting the stick up on the deck. It'll be handy for going under bridges if I need to though.. You don't know what height is lowered do you and how well balanced it would be steaming?