I used to believe in the 'not having the tallest mast in the harbor' theory until having a strike or discharge while getting towed back into Sarasota at a Stiletto Cat National Championships. Tampa to Ft ************ could be the worst stretch of coast for lightning in the world and our OB...
Seriously, that was sort of a welcome response to a newbie. Used to be a lot worse!
I do understand your concern and am close to making a similar decision for a 50 catamaran with a carbon wing mast for Hawaii. I doubt the lightning threat in Hawaii would be as high as in your Florida...