Are you sure it's an SX18 and not an 18 magnum? I suspect you have a standard or magnum 18, and not an SX18 because I believe all the SX18 masts came with a comptip installed (the standard 18 mast is 28' long, the SX18 is 18" taller, so 29'-6").
Your question is arguably the most debatable topic in Hobie history. The comptip is safer from an electrocution stand point for sure. And you need to have it installed to race in a Hobie sanctioned regatta (although you will be hard pressed to find any SX18s to race against). The comptip does not add any apreciable weight or flotation.
However, it's hard to justify cutting a perfectly good mast. And if you plan on running a spinnaker, you're probably better off leaving the mast all aluminum.
Regardless of whether you install the comptip or not, you should ALWAYS be mindful of powerlines.
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