Relining a Spectre with dacron?

[vt1977 0]

My Spectre 135 needs a re-line. The canopy isn't opening as well as it used to, the flare is not what it was and I think it is time I sent it to PD for a re-line since I really can't afford a new canopy right now! I've used the search function and read some threads about how Spectres with dacron lines open a little softer and this seems like a good thing to me although anyone with any experience of using this set up would be appreciated.

Before I go ahead and get the canopy relined with dacron, are there any disadvantages I should know about? How long does a dacron lineset last relative to microline? How much does it increase pack volume by? (I am sure it will still fit in my container just fine) Is there any problem using dacron lines with mini risers and slinks? Anything else I may not have thought of?

Many thanks!
Vicki

[skydiverton 0]

Dacron lines are thicker, this means more aerodynamic drag (resistance), less forward speed and because of that less Flare.

More bulky to pack.

Other lines will also have impact on the opening and flight behaviour. Please ask PD whether this is a good idea.

Bad flare may also be caused by "out-of trim'" a new lineset (same type) might also improve your flare.

My stiletto flew like new after a re-line

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Using your droque to gain stability is a bad habit,
Especially when you are jumping a sport rig

[vt1977 0]

I am awaiting a reply from PD - simply interested to hear from anyone who has jumped a Spectre lined with dacron and to hear of anything that I may not have thought of.

Cheers!
Vicki

[nacmacfeegle 0]

PD offer the Spectre with a 525lb dacron option,http://www.performancedesigns.com/customorder7.asp so I'm not sure if it will be a huge deal.
I'd be interested to hear what they (PD) have to say.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[BIGUN 1,483]

Dacron is going to be considerably more bulkier. In addition, if you have intentions on re-selling it before the next lineset is due, dacron may make that process more difficult.

IMO, openings on the Spectre aren't going to be noticebly different with dacron as compared to spectra or vectran.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[meandean 0]

dacron lines are thicker. The PD slinks might not be long enough to handle the extra thickness of the lines. I use the PD RESERVE slinks on one of my CRW setups (with dacron lines). The PD RESERVE slinks are about an inch longer than the PD SPORT slinks, allowing more room for the thicker lines.
-slasher-

[gmac324 0]

I've jumped both a sabre120 and a spectre 120 with dacron lines that a a rigger at my dz owns.

They both opened excellently and will continue to do so for many many jumps due to the dimensional stability of dacron line.

The lineset should last much longer than a microline set, wears about the same but won't go out of trim.

It does add almost 1 size to pack volume, so if your container's ok for a spectre 150 you should be just fine on that front.

PD are very wary of selling you a dacron lineset, they seem to think it's a bit odd

Good luck with whatever choice you make, a relined canopy will fly like new whether it has dacron or microline.

Graeme

PS Forgot to mention that all of his canopies use standard slinks, the fir just fine on mini risers

• Quote

[skytash 0]

send a PM to lauras. I think she has put Dracon on her Spectre.

tash

Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is a special occasion. Avril Sloe

[MrHixxx 0]

Quote

IMO, openings on the Spectre aren't going to be noticebly different with dacron as compared to spectra or vectran.

The openings may feel a bit softer, because Dacron stretches and Spectra and Vectran do not.

-Hixxx

death,as men call him, ends what they call men
-but beauty is more now than dying’s when

[lauras 0]

Hi Vicki.

I relined my Spectre with Dacron after having some surgery (fusion of C5 & 6) this past December. Prior to surgery, I put a bunch of jumps on Tony Hathaway's Dacron-lined Spectres and that pretty much sold me on it. It's a great combination of the soft Spectre openings with the "springiness" of Dacron. There is the occasional off-heading and/or brisk opening, but nothing unmanageable. Most people I know that have Dacron lines are CRW dogs, video dudes, those that jump an exorbitant amount each year (1000+) or those that have had the same type of surgery as me. I don't find it too popular otherwise, due to additional bulk in the pack tray. No problem with using slinks or mini-risers and Dacron.

That said, an out-of-trim canopy is just that - out-of-trim. Have your rigger take a look and adjust if possible or go ahead and reline that baby.

Let me know if you need any more info.

-Laura

[Canuck 0]

There are a few professional cameramen jumping Spectres lined with Dacron to ease the opening shock with heavy loads on their heads - Tony Hathaway for one.

I've heard, but don't know if it's true, that Dan BC has been jumping his Stilettos lined with Dacron for years (since his recovery from the plane crash).

John Leblanc has actually said that anybody who freeflys should consider dacron in case of a premature deployment because it helps absorb shock.

Canuck

[vt1977 0]

Thank you all so much for your feedback and opinions – much appreciated.
Before I make my mind up… does anyone know how long I could expect a Dacron lineset to last compared to a microline lineset?

Thanks
Vicki

[Canuck 0]

Depends how worried you are abut the trim...

Dacron will last thousands of jumps without failure, but as has been mentioned, it does stretch. I would guess that you would get at least the same useable life out of dacron as you would spectra.

Canuck