In Michigan there is some discussion of adding a shute to the Nacra 5.5 Uni. We are not asking the class to change the rules, at this time its just a fun thing. We are not trying to steal any sailors from the F 17 class (Inter 17 standard and big boy shutes). We are just exploring the possibility of adding a standard F 17 class shute. We will be meeting in early February to talk about it with some F 17 guys. The plan would be to maybe have some races within CRAM where the two boats race head to head on a fun basis. If there is enough interest within the Uni class we could possibly sail within the club as a class. At this time there would be no big boy shute. I have raced both boats and whined and complained about how hard the F 17 was to set up and sail, so I can't belief I'm supporting this (oh well the times they are a changin'). The Uni and F 17 fleets usually start together here and it sure is gettin' old watchin' them always pass us going from A mark down to C. The power of the Uni is the simplicity but its usually not a fun boat in a long distance race without the extra sail. Several Uni's already have shutes but they are much bigger and fuller than the F 17 and they are not all the same and so far they have not raced in anything other than Portsmouth. What we have seen up here is the F 17 shute is a better design. Any comments? Rush, what do you think?