If you can afford it I would get a complete spin kit for an F18 that comes with mast tang, spin pole, snuffer sock, sail etc. that is the easiest way to do it. Otherwise you can do what everyone else does and put it together from used parts you find on the classified adds. I also think there are a few guys out there who put together kits for older cats.
Parts from a nacra 20 will work as well, but it should be a midpole snuffer instead of an endpole snuffer because you have to carry the pole under the bow foil. Contact New England Catamarans (Rick Bliss) he will have any and all of the information you will need.
I put a soft spin on my 5.5 and bought a bunch of used parts and made it work relatively cheap. The pole is an old mast from an aqua cat (sunfish spar will work) the pin for the cross bar I got from Rick at new england catamarans, the snuffer was a used Hobie tiger part as was the bag (new $25 or so). The rest was pretty easy, used kite I already had, rigging was a bit of figuring but it works fine. HTH, Richard.
I've been using Dennis Key's SNU snuffers on several boat, and am very pleased witht the design. Not inexpensive, but they're easy on the spin, durable, and his personal attention is great. I've used windsurfing masts, carbon, alum, and glass, as a pole with good results.
I have a N6.0 with a spin on it that ive been running for a couple years now. End pole snuffer, 2"alum pole, self tacker(smaller jib, very nice with spin setup), I wouldnt suggest going with a midpole, I made a plate that mounts to the main beam to lower the rear of the pole, thus raising the front of the pole to keep from stuffing into waves. works like a champ. Let me know if you have any questions.
I just switched to a N20 so the boat is for sale BTW.
I have had several and i prefer the midpole snuffing... keeps my opening/sail away from waves/splash... and stuffing it when i ride my bows low
why would you need to lower the rear bellow the beam? these poles are very flexible over 13' pole (give or take) and you can angle it to any position you want regardless where the pole end is ?
The boat came with a hooter which is a much stiffer sail. The soft refers to the fact is soft material and can be snuffer as opposed to the hooter which can not be snuffed. HTH, Richard.
The hooters that I have seen on nacra 6.0s were all roller furling, and if I recall quite a few masts were bent using the hooters.
The boat came with a hooter which is a much stiffer sail. The soft refers to the fact is soft material and can be snuffer as opposed to the hooter which can not be snuffed. HTH, Richard.