Because of restrictions imposed on the manning of the safety boat following the Covid 19 pandemic, our club has implemented a rule that all boats must have mast head floats min 4litres. This rule has been very effective in minimising inversions and thus masts stuck in the mud. (inland water approx 2.5 - 3m depth) This means you have a fighting chance of righting the boat without assistance, though, of course, the boat will drift with the wind. this is not a problem for us because our water is enclosed although large (approx 100 acres) I"m sure that the float makes some difference to the efficiency of the sail, but because it's the same for everyone, racing is unaffected.