Second canopy

[Floater 0]

Ok, I'm sitting here bored and musing over what type of canopy I'll get when I start thinking of downsizing this summer. Right now I'm jumping a Hornet 170 at about 1.2 and I'm thinking about either a Safire 149 or Saber 2 150. Any other suggestions? I'll probably start demoing in 4 months if I think I'm ready to downsize but, I just want to narrow the field down a bit on what to demo.
Lee

[flow 1]

I think you should consider the Hornet 150 also. I haven't flown
either of Safire nor Sabre 2 (I have Hornet 150 loaded 1.3), but all
that I've heard/read, Hornet is almost the same as Sabre 2, except
that Sabre2 seems to dive more. And that is exactly how I ended up
buying Hornet, as I really didn't consider the extra $400 what Sabre2
costs worth it.
But what I want to say is that demo all the canopies and make your own
conclusions.
Blue skies,
j.

[cobaltdan 0]

add a cobalt to your demo list as well.
better glide, flare and safer high speed openings....
sincerely,
dan

[freeflyguy 0]

Hey Lee!
Don't hesitate to ask me to watch your landings. Or ask for pointers. Especially if you are thinking of downsizing. There are a couple of safires out there to try too. Brian has a 149.
But if you want to downsize, start asking questions, and get some of us to watch your landings. Then, just suck it up and come to the pond. There is no reason you couldn't get a lot more our of you canopy, before you downsize. From what I have seen you do good anyway. But free coaching is nice too.
j

[Floater 0]

Yeah James, I'm not in that big of a hurry to downsize. Just kinda thinkin what I'm going to do for the summer. Once it starts warming up I'll probably brave the pond but, I.m not in a hurry for swimming lessons. Also, if I do decide to downsize, I would rather not try to sell my current main after it's been in the water a couple times.
I'm not really seriously considering the Saber 2.
I did think about the cobalt but, I'm not sure if I want to downsize to an elliptical at 1.3 this early in the game.
Lee

[cobaltdan 0]

safires and saber2s are elliptical.
remember it a combination of design variables, not just if a canopy is tapered or not that determins if it is
suitable for a student or hot dog.
sincerely,
dan

[freeflyguy 0]

When you're ready, don't hesitate to ask. Thing too is, you can land at the pond if you like. Don't think you have to follow our typical slogans of "Go big or go home" and "If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing". When there is a swoop load, just land over there. As long as everybody knows, you can hang in brakes, and start getting used to the sight picture. Land on the shore, or purposely set up so you go over the water, but land long. Then, all eyes are on you too. Whether you like it or not, people will help you improve your technique.
As far as the wet canopy, ahh, mine has been bathed a couple times, but as long as you dry it good before you repack it, it shouldn't hurt it.
I also have to agree with Dan on the Eliptical thing. With a safire, you can scarcely tell a difference from a sabre, it is just a little quicker turning. A stilleto is a different animal though. I don't know much about a cobalt, but the eliptical"ness" of a sabre2 or safire has little to do with the danger factor. Wingloading is more the key.
But still, you can make your present canopy smoke, with a little more training and attention to accuracy and what is going on with it.
Oh, last thing. It isn't really called swimming lessons, it is more appropriately called 'skipping lessons' :) Not that I want to do that anymore.
J