I have an Inter 18 chute, about 226 square feet. It had been badly damaged, and tho it's been nicely repaired, I got a screaming deal on it. The pole that I used with it (I've used it only in one distance race to date) was an Inter 20 Worrell (non-snuffer) aluminum pole. Not sure the exact length, I suspect 13 something feet. Masthead hardware was stripped off a broken I-20 mast.
<br>I'm really happy with the rig; I've only flown it in up to about 10-12 because I have the old light uni mast, and I was afraid of breaking it. You have the Inter 18 carbon mast already, so you should be fine.
<br>The Uni is convertible to Formula 18 - it has the same beam and length. So the I 18 chute is a great choice for a bigger singlehander (I was 260, now about 240). Not sure if you'd be better with the 18 or the 17R chute (it's about 193 square feet, or 18 sq metres); I suspect it depends a great deal on how windy it usually is in your area.
<br>About the snuffer: I want one, really badly. However, I understand they are really hard on chutes, and as you know, the rig is pretty tough on the wallet in the first place. I am inclined to trade my boat for a 17R with all the goodies in the first place, rather than try to build one. It IS tempting tho; the 5.5 u is 6 inches longer and almost 4 inches wider than the R, and pulls a 67.0 D-PN distance racing under spinnaker compared to the R's 66.6.
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<br>Come down to Corpus October 6-7 weekend; we'll compare notes, do a distance race on Sunday, then you can stay for 5.5u North Americans on the 8-11. We already have class +1, so you're guaranteed to race one-design.
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<br>sail fast<br><br>Andrew Tatton
<br>Nacra 5.5u #417 +chute