For what it's worth: I'm running KSP 1.3.1.1891 on macOS High Sierra 10.13.2, and am now having no problems with either launching conventionally by double-clicking in the Finder or, once it's running, with video stuttering or otherwise failing to render properly. In fact, I think it's rendering faster and smoother than 1.3.0 did on the same hardware.
Notes:
When I downloaded the zip file, expanded it, and tried running, I got a black screen, no loading images or progress bar. I deleted that whole folder, downloaded and ran the installer, and all is shiny and bright.
I have no mods installed at the moment.
I believe the only changes to settings that I've made are setting the resolution to the max for my external monitor (1920x1200), enabling full screen display, and setting "Advanced Tweakables".