I am not technical like most people on this forum that can explain why things react as they do nor am I an engineer. Like you, I sailed my H14 on the ocean for years and mostly in the surf. Making sure the mast is sealed is an absolute must when the cat goes turtle. Therefore, if you cannot get the H14 the mast to come vertical with the water then what I do is stand on one end of the hull and make it sink deep in the water and with patients the mast will start to rise. With this technique, I have yet to get a H14 or H16 mast vertical with the water. Of course if you do a lot of solo sailing (or a little of it) having a mast float at the top of the mast is a great idea, it may not look cool to some but does wonders when you have capsized several times in the same day and your are getting tired. As some know on this forum since last season I have never sailed solo without Gary’s solo-right systems as it makes life a lot easier after a capsize. By the way, Gary simplified the lines that connect to the righting pole so now it is much easier to stow the lines and pole, which was kind of an issue for some on this forum, but should not be now.