Basejumper.com - archive

Background:
I am '6 185#
130 skydives over last 8 months (lots of focus on canopy skills/accuracy)
first jump course at the Perine in Sept with friend/Mentor
Mentor has somewhere around 300 + BASE jumps.

I am looking at gear and have decided on container and canopy but am debating on the size of the canopy. My mentor, who I have jumped with a bunch) is saying that he thinks I should go with a 260 or even a 240. The manufacturer is saying I should get a 280. I consider myself a cautious person and want to enjoy BASE for years to come but I don't want to be disappointed with my purchase. I want to be able to fly epic canopy flights in Europe, Norway and in Moab and don't picture myself doing any buildings where I need to land on a small dark parking lot somewhere. But again I want to have a safe entry into the wold of base.

Your thoughts are appreciated

I weight about 185 and about your height. I jump a 280. My mentor recommended to me the 280, and i have had numerous people tell me that if your unsure about size, go with the slightly bigger size. But I haven't been jumping to long, so don't necessarily take what im saying right and think of it more like an opinion. But so far the 280 feels comfortable for me.

I would reccomend a 280. There are lots of technical landing areas where you plan on jumping, and it will give you some forgivness while your learning. You can always get a smaller canopy later on...

Depending on the canopy you get... 280 would be better... but if you are looking at a Troll... they size a little big so a 265 is more like a 288... so therefore the 265 would better.

I'm the same size as you, and jump a 280 Blackjack. It is plenty fast, but sinks nicely. The only times I have backed up under canopy is jumping antennas with really high winds. You'd be coming in pretty hot with a 240, which isn't good for iffy landing areas.

The only time I wish it was smaller, is carrying it on long hikes...

I am 180# and have jumped a 260 for most of my jumps. I would consider a 240 for Norway, but have used a 280 in Moab and loved it. I would go with a 260.

If it's your only canopy, I'd go with a 280. When you want to make a 280 go faster, for example to penetrate wind, you can always ride the front risers. But when you need the 260 to land softer, for example on broken ground, there's no way to do get extra fabric over your head.

If you have more than one canopy, there's nothing wrong with having a smaller one for windier conditions with better landing areas (or reducing pack size for tracking), but if it's only the one, I'd make it big because sooner or later you're going to want more fabric up there.

None of those canopy sizes would be a dangerous one for you to be flying, anyway. Which you pick, as others have already pointed out, really depends on what kinds of jumps you're going to be doing, but for my money, for the reasons Tom cites, hedging on the large side is always a good idea. I'm about 165-170 lb and recently went from a 245 to a 260 (also changed canopy types, so take this with a grain of salt). We do a lot of jumping into rocky, high-altitude landing areas around here (say 8000 ft MSL), and on those jumps I'm really happy about the change. Heck, even in Moab, the 260 is a dream to fly.

260 to 280. My opinion is completely rule out the 240, it's just not enough canopy when it's tight, and it will be tight sometimes no matter where you jump. I jump a 240. I'm 35 pounds lighter and have a few parachute rides of experience.


I'd personally suggest the 280 but would probably be ok with a 260. You'll be at about .8 to 1 wingload. That's the highest I'd suggest at this point in time, or ever, in BASE jumping.(at least at your weight) Docile is good. Really good.

The following paragraph is truth, not a slam on you or anyone just starting. We all start at 0 and work our way up. The difference between you and the next guy is time. You simply need to take that time and use it wisely.

At 130 parachute jumps, understand you still don't know what you don't know. I believe you that you're cautious. Caution only gets you so far. You are jumping off stuff after all. The skills you need really come in handy when things don't go as expected, and that will beyond a doubt happen. That's why a 280 would be my suggestion.

It's simply irresistible.
Everybody says they won't do a particular type of jump. Most people that say that do it anyway. In skydiving, people often say they'll never do hook turns. Some of those people are champion swoopers.

Moab is low. Often there are very short canopy flights. The landing can be very tight, or on a talus, or in a rock field... etc. It's beautiful there. It offers a sense of security that can be false. When you're pointed at the cliff, it's a big deal. You might not get anywhere near your desired landing area even if you don't hit the cliff.

That's enough what ifs but hopefully you get the idea where I and others are coming from.

Good luck!
"Have fun, don't die"

how old are you?

what does your family look like?

actually, those are serious questions. many people come to parachuting when they are young and fit. but even fit bodies can add weight as they age. consider what an extra 10-15 pounds will do to your wingloading. then ask yourself if you want to go on the small side.

remember, if your an American, the Europeans expect you to be fat and out of shape!

 
depending on where you are jumping something as simple as an off heading opening or a pilot chute delay can change things rapidly and you may not be landing in your "planned landing area". A little extra nylon will be nice when that happens

Thanks for all the great tips and info everyone.

Look forward to meeting you one day at the exit point