gixxer5223 0 #1 May 28, 2007 hey whats up guys, i just got finished with my AFF at sebastian in Florida and im ready to buy a rig. the question i have is what canopy size should i be looking for? Im 5"8' and 160 lbs. i was thinking a 150 but i found a really nice deal on a vector 3 that has a 135 canopy do u think this is to small to start with or no? thanks for your help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #2 May 28, 2007 If you are 160 then your exit weight is pushing 185. The recommendation from almost every canopy manufactor, canopy coach and the USPA is to have your first canopy at no more then a 1:1 wingloading. Wing loading is your exit weight divided by your sq ft. That meens you should be looking at about a 190 sq ft canopy. Only if muiltiple instructors and your S&TA think its a good idea would I recommend looking at a 170 canopy. "Really good deals" rarely are that. There is always a better deal out there if you know where to look.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #3 May 28, 2007 Both are too small mate, 150 would be too radical and a 135 would be suicidal, have a look at these articles, they should help you out a bit: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=46 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=43 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=45 Also, I don;t know if Sebastian will be your home dropzone, but hook up with whoever will be one of your local instructors and have a chat before you buy any gear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #4 May 29, 2007 Don't forget about reserve size, you want a 1:1 loaded reserve max, so you're looking for a ~190 reserve. Doubtful a rig with a 135 main would have that ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EDYDO 0 #5 May 29, 2007 You have a lot to learn and in the process, you will be making mistakes. A larger canopy will help you survive intact until you are ready for a smaller canopy. I would suggest a 210 main and downsize after 100 or so jumps. If you are a natural, you might be fine with a 190. Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chanti 0 #6 May 29, 2007 I'm lighter than you (135 lb) and after 230 jumps, my 150 stil scares me! Start with a 170 or 185 -Chanti- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkeenan 14 #7 May 29, 2007 Is there any chance that the folks at Sebastian told you the same thing when asked about these canopy sizes (Too small), and now you are looking for an internet answer that is more in line with your wishes ? Find a big, docile, used canopy to learn on until you have the skills to jump the things you see your friends on. It's a plan that has worked for a lot of people so far. Kevin K._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrismgtis 0 #8 May 29, 2007 QuoteIm 5"8' and 160 lbs. i was thinking a 150 but i found a really nice deal on a vector 3 that has a 135 HELLLLLLLLLLL no. That answer your question? Here is a question for you, do you like your femurs intact? Yes? Then don't even think about flying a 135. I weigh 168 lbs. I fly a Triathlon 175. That is as low as I want to go. It's more than fast enough for me to bust my ass on a few times already. I suggest you get under a 190-230 and if you are very comfortable under that then maybe a 175 as it's worked ok for me (except when I fail at PLFs) BUT we are all different and I had about 4 times as many jumps as you do now before I switched. I've got 49 jumps at this time. I jumped the 190 for about 10-12 jumps then went onto my 175 cause I was comfortable. I rolled on the first two 175 landings and the next 7 I stood up for some of the best landings I've ever had. Then I think it was the next 2 landings that I did shitty PLFs on and my knee still hurts a week and a half later. Be careful and please do not fly anything lower than a 190 for a while. You're just starting out.Rodriguez Brother #1614, Muff Brother #4033 Jumped: Twin Otter, Cessna 182, CASA, Helicopter, Caravan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve_Lewis 0 #9 May 29, 2007 Why not hire kit for a while until you've (read: your centre instructor, for the time being) a more accurate idea of what you should be on, whether that be a 210, 190 or a 170. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ether 0 #10 May 29, 2007 Quote I weigh 168 lbs. I fly a Triathlon 175. Interesting. I'm putting together "my first rig" as well, and have picked out a Triathalon 190. (I'm 135 lbs without gear.) However, this is partially influenced by what is easily available to me.. if it were a 170 sitting on the shelf at my DZ, I'd probably go with that instead. Looking for newbie rig, all components... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Para_Frog 1 #11 May 30, 2007 Um...nice taxiway marker ya got there honey. Now what is it you were saying about canopy selection? (I crack myself up) - Harvey, BASE 1232 TAN-I, IAD-I, S&TA BLiNC Magazine Team Member Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ether 0 #12 May 30, 2007 Quote Um...nice taxiway marker ya got there honey. Hey at least I don't get so wasted that I miss a whole day of jumping! Looking for newbie rig, all components... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Para_Frog 1 #13 May 30, 2007 Quote Quote Um...nice taxiway marker ya got there honey. Hey at least I don't get so wasted that I miss a whole day of jumping! Owie!, damn. OK, I'm sorry, I take it all back. - Harvey, BASE 1232 TAN-I, IAD-I, S&TA BLiNC Magazine Team Member Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #14 May 31, 2007 Quote Quote I weigh 168 lbs. I fly a Triathlon 175. Interesting. I'm putting together "my first rig" as well, and have picked out a Triathalon 190. (I'm 135 lbs without gear.) However, this is partially influenced by what is easily available to me.. if it were a 170 sitting on the shelf at my DZ, I'd probably go with that instead. Without meaning to hijack...Try a number of canopies before buying, vs going with what's available. I finally ended up going to Perris and trying several before settling on probably the least popular canopy in the world, the PD Silhouette. At our local DZ, I didn't have many choices, so found it best to try several demos. PD sent out a couple demos (basically just the cost of shipping) and I was pretty confused until I got to jump a number of them sequentially. Now I've got a couple Silhouettes as a result. In other words, reach out a little, you'll probably have a better chance of finding exactly what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Istvan 0 #15 May 31, 2007 Quote Quote Um...nice taxiway marker ya got there honey. Do I have to start a petition to bring back your old avatar? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
