Rig needs repair - anybody gotten an older-than-10-year-old Vector2 repaired safely?

[mdrejhon 8]

My rig's grounded (voluntarily by consensus by a group, including myself, and a rigger, inspecting the rig after a bigway jump last week) due to a defect that, to my uneducated eyes, appear to be an easy fix for a master rigger. Let's leave the details and drama out of this, I am looking at options about whether it possibly can be fixed safely in a sanctioned manner. I may have to buy a new rig

I know the official word is that Relative Workshop recommends NOT to repair any older-than-10-year-old Vector2 container.

My Vector2 container, is a 1993 DOM, however, has ONLY 300 jumps, and other than the repairable problem, is otherwise in good condition everywhere else on the rig.

I hear conflicting information from multiple parties that if I send this container to Relative Workshop, they are willing to at least 'look' at the container and decider whether or not it's worth repairing. i.e. I heard that they will, "no promises" might repair older-than-10-year-old Vector2's, provided it is in excellent condition and the repair is relatively simple. I've seen many newer Vector2's in much worse shape and apparently more dangerous than my container (which was reportedly a closet queen for some time, according to the original seller).

Am I compromising my life in asking this genuine question? Any insight into this would be appreciated, if it is reasonable at all to get a 13-year-old Vector2 repaired? Is it worth mailing the rig to Relative Workshop to get them to look at it, or is it "don't bother"? I'm pretty curious if I am now stuck with rental rigs until I buy a new container. I just spent $200 on regular maintenance stuff (a replacement D-Bag and PC for this container, before I really needed them), and now this happens.

(In case anybody asks, the problem is stretching in the fabric/reinforcing plate in the bottom flap, to the point where the grommet is slightly detaching at the bottom edge.)

[skybeergodd 0]

As long as the rig is airworthy and not dangerous to jump with, that is a relatively easy repair.....I have gotten permission from relative workshop to convert and old vector 1 to a vector 2 before. They sent me a letter and directions on how they wanted the conversion done. I would be amazed if they wanted your rig grounded just because of age.

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

(In case anybody asks, the problem is stretching in the fabric/reinforcing plate in the bottom flap, to the point where the grommet is slightly detaching at the bottom edge.)

I'm not a rigger.

If it was a major repair, I would say it might not be worth it.

But from what you describe, it sounds to me like they could replace the bottom flap rather inexpensively. And since the rig is in otherwise excellent shape, that's what they should offer to do for you. If not, shop around for a 2nd rigger's opinion.

[rickanderson 0]

Take a picture! if enough riggers say they will repair it i think you have the answer. a rig maker always wants you to buy something new

[masterrigger1 2]

We would be more than happy to look at it!

It sounds like a very common repair that we have done several times.

Got any pics?


MEL

Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC
www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

[mdrejhon 8]

I will get some pics made. The digital camera's misplaced right now (otherwise I'd have brought it to the Canada bigways last week).

Thanks for the offers. Please stress, I don't take this very lightly. I prefer to send it directly to "the factory" if possible. I don't really want to "shop around for a master rigger willing to repair it" -- I'd rather see a unamous collective opinion by reputable well-known master riggers OR direct from the horse mouth (factory), that it is worth repairing -- it is my life and safety at stake.

For now -- at this stage (for several reasons), it would be easiest for me (even if I pay more), and I would rather have Relative Workshop look at it. I will go with what they say after they look directly at it - whether I need a new rig or whether they are willing to fix it. I am just wondering if Relative Workshop is willing to look at it -- historically, have RWS repaired over-10-year-old Vector2's provided they are otherwise in good condition and the repair is simple enough? (I have tried calling them, but it's outside business hours, so I will call again tomorrow).

[masterrigger1 2]

I would question the fact that a master rigger would not replace a stressed grommet, if in fact that is all that is wrong.

That's a standard repair, so you should have to "shop" for some one to do it.

MEL

Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC
www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

[skybytch 273]

Forgive me for asking the obvious but... have you tried asking Relative Workshop if they will fix it? Regardless of what the multiple parties you've heard from have said, RWS is really the only one who can give you the answer you need.

[mdrejhon 8]

Quote

Forgive me for asking the obvious but... have you tried asking Relative Workshop if they will fix it? Regardless of what the multiple parties you've heard from have said, RWS is really the only one who can give you the answer you need.

True. I'm trying to reach them, but that will have to wait till tomorrow.

I am just getting conflicting information from multiple parties whom I trust; so I want to go straight to the horse mouth.

[jumpwally 0]

Which begs the question,,,,,when should a rig be retired? Is a 10-15 year old rig with 500 jumps worth anything or worth jumping for that matter ?

smile, be nice, enjoy life
FB # - 1083

[CloudOnMyTongue 0]

I was talking to RWS yesterday morning about my 11 year old rig. Pablo is an excellent guy, and I put my rig in the mail this morning to them.

So they definitely will do work on rigs older than 10 years, he didn't even ask me what kind of condition my rig was in. Just told me to send it off and that it's only a week turn around time.

[bob.dino 1]

Quote

Which begs the question,,,,,when should a rig be retired? Is a 10-15 year old rig with 500 jumps worth anything or worth jumping for that matter ?

I'm jumping a 9yo Talon with significantly more than 500 jumps on it. It's in good nick & it's not getting retired anytime soon.

[bch7773 0]

Quote

I will go with what they say after they look directly at it - whether I need a new rig or whether they are willing to fix it.

then why are you asking us stuff, if you are planning on just doing whatever the factory says?

MB 3528, RB 1182

[wmw999 2,560]

Gathering information is always good (well, if you're an information-gatherer). I could see myself doing exactly the same thing.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[murrays 0]

Mark,

Show your rig to Tom or John McCarthy at Gan. They can help you decide on what to do or quite likely fix it for you themselves.

--
Murray

"No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

[packerboy 3]

If that was "all that was wrong" the master rigger in question would do everything he could to make the rig airworthy. He knows his shit, has been rigging for a long time, rigs professionally for a living (not just in sport parachuting), and in this area he is the best there is in the business. The rigger is NOT in question, the rig is. I can't say it lightly enough. This guy knows his stuff. If he wouldn't work on it, I would buy a new rig without question. It sucks, but c'est la vie, stuff wears out and reconfigurations are made by the manufacturer to address these issues. That's why new designs come out. Don't trust your life to the lowest bidder.

--------------------------------------------------
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

[riggerrob 643]

What is broken?

I am currently jumping an 18-year old Vector 1.
Since it spent most of its life in a closet, there was negligable UV damage. I just did a few updates and have kept it as my back up/wingsuit rig for the last three years.

What is broken?

[wmw999 2,560]

Quote

The rigger is NOT in question, the rig is.

Then if the OP does not understand, it's incumbent on someone to help him understand. I realize he seems to be detail-oriented, and that communication isn't necessarily easy. But, well, it's his gear, and he's trying to learn.

He might not be asking the exact right question, with the exact right wording, but it's up to the more experienced folks to figure out what the real question should be, let him know why that's the real question, and then answer it. Along with the question he actually asked (even if it's not the right one).

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[masterrigger1 2]

Quote

The rigger is NOT in question, the rig is

I guess you misunderstood what I said or it's content.
We are talking about a rig I have never laid eyes on.

My Statement (re-worded) was I would question why the Master rigger would not replace a simple stressed grommet if in fact that was all that was wrong.

Meaning there might be other problems.

Quote

Don't trust your life to the lowest bidder.

I do not think anyone was trrying to be the lowest bidder on a possible $40-$50.00 repair.

I myself was just trying to help a guy out.
We have plenty of other work in the shop, but if we were to have done the work; quality and workmanship would not have been an issue!


Cheers,
MEL

Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC
www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

[mdrejhon 8]

Actually, we're getting off topic right now. It has nothing to do with lowest bidders. (I'm sure you're all great riggers!) No offence intended to any riggers (including the ones at my dropzone).

The key issue, is simply, Relative Workshop's general recommendation that master riggers not work on Vector2's older than 10-year old. That's all. Upon further research, I just get conflicting information.

Thus, I'd like to go directly to the factory -- that way I am sure I have something definitive. If it's grounded, then I can accept that from the factory. If they say I f'ked up the rig, I'll accept that too. If they say they can repair it, I'll go for that too.

Note of clarification: While several jumpers did look at my rig, none of the master riggers have even looked at my rig yet for the current defect I described in this thread. Just that I have been given the general recommendation of the age guideline, once I recently mentioned it is a 1993 model. (even though it has only 300 jumps). Totally understandably, not all riggers are comfortable going against what sounds like a "normally" legitimate manufacturer recommendation -- I just feel my rig has an exception because it has only 300 jumps and deserves a look at, by the factory...

(Note: I will get a photo made, sent to RWS and to my rigger anyway -- this is one of my next step -- need to find the camera)

[riggerrob 643]

... the problem is stretching in the fabric/reinforcing plate in the bottom flap, to the point where the grommet is slightly detaching at the bottom edge.)