The bottom line on the mast float (or any other gear for that matter) is unless you race, do whatever makes sailing more enjoyable for you. If not worrying about turtling in shallow, cold water makes your day on the water more enjoyable, then by all means put a mast float on. Unless there are a bunch of beach cats up there, you are the envy of every other sailor in the area because you are on a cat and they are not. No one is noticing the mast float.