It’s a question that’s frequently asked and something I have strong views on. What size should a mast float be

One thing that frequently comes up

I am very anti mast head floats because from personal experience there is a danger that the boat will stay capsized, mast horizontal, and blow away from the sailor as it presents a lot of windage. I have been in the situation swimming after a boat that was gradually getting further away.

If the boat does invert it will stop moving and if you can’t get it up at least you are with a bigger target to be seen. A head in the vastness of the sea isn’t easy to see.

What I think you want is a craft that is slow to invert, gives the sailor time to right it without the risk of turning turtle. My Gull has the best dinghy mast I have ever seen, it is sealed and so buoyant. Easy to identify as the halyard runs inside the luff groove not into the mast. I have only capsized her twice and it seams to stop the boat from inverting. 

To speed up recovery I have righting lines fitted but never used them. To stop capsizes in the first place, don’t go too far onto the bow. If it’s blowing ensure you uncleat the jib before you tack, I was racing in conditions that if cruising I would only have a reefed main up.

Mast floats do have their places, in teaching situations and racing in shallow water.