That was the decision I had made... Bad one (I think) now I think back. The rig hitting the bottom was damaging my boat, but losing the rig prevented me from righting... and acting as a sea anchor which increased my drift. That further endangered my life, so....

Further... I had to go to the mast head (on our side) to release the halyard. I almost lost hold of the boat and only had a 3/16" line to hang onto as the boat surged in the swells. Scary s---.