Canopy Repair, or Replace?

[jdathome 0]

Dealing with a 1996 Stiletto and looking for opinions of whether to repair it, or replace it. This canopy has been well used and if the line set is replaced, this will be the third, or forth set. We have no way of knowing how many total jumps it has? This is the third owner of said canopy.

The Stiletto was sent in due to the lines being “way” out of trim. So, the lines were an expected expense. It was also known the slider was going to need to be replaced. It was just time. These are pretty normal wear items, right? Well, when the factory received the canopy and noted the fading on the top skin, they performed a pull test. The center panel on the top skin failed. Would you pay to replace the top skin of the center cell and call it good, or would you retire the canopy and start over? After all, how much time will pass for one of the other panels to fail, while you’re falling?

Repair totals: $550.00

$250.00 for the line set. (Sounds a little high? But it is being done by the manufacturer, not an independent loft.)
$25.00 for a slider.
$225.00 to replace top skin center cell panel.

What would you do if this was your canopy? As a rigger, what would your advise be to your fellow skydiver?

[JohnRich 4]

As the canopy owner, I would presume that if the center cell failed the pull test, that the remainder of the fabric isn't far behind and shouldn't be trusted either.

And since the repair cost is almost half-way to the price of a new canopy, therefore I would just put the money towards a new canopy, and retire the old one.

But ultimately, I would say the decision is up to the customer to make, and as long as you, as a rigger, would deem the repaired old canopy to be air-worthy, then if that's what he wants to do, then you can confidently do the repairs for him and charge him for it.

[likestojump 3]

I would advise to take the $550 and use it to buy a better shape ST120. There usually are a lot of nicely priced used ones, as they have been on the market for 17+ years.

I believe that after you invest $550 into this canopy, you won't be able to sell it for that much :(

[fcajump 164]

Sounds like its ready for intentional cutaways...

Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

[JohanW 0]

The center cell top skin is almost always the first to fail, because it sees by far the most wear (packing!). Replace the center cell top skin and the lineset (and, in this particular instance, the slider), and the canopy is as good as new. No, other cells will not fail anytime soon (probably ) just because the center one did. They just don't wear as fast.

Given that the canopy is apparently worth the lines and the slider, the only additional cost is the $250 for the center cell. It'll be as good as new with that, so my vote goes to repairing it. Any second hand Stiletto you could buy for $ 550 will very probably not be in the condition this one will be after the repairs.

Unless, of course, the colours are ugly. And keep in mind you can never sell it for what it's worth - you'll have to jump it to recover the expenses. At $ 1 / jump, after repairs, the canopy should be good for another 500 jumps. That's not unreasonable to expect.

Not a rigger - but I own two Stilettos I'll never sell but jump and loan out on occasion.

Johan.
I am. I think.

[firemedic 7]

Sounds to me like you've got your money's worth out of the canopy. If I were considering this I'd probably invest the money in a new canopy or a used one in newer condition. Just my opinion.

[sundevil777 102]

The salt from sweating on the center cell causes them to fail much sooner than the rest of the canopy

I think that it would definitely be worth more than the total repair cost, if you were to sell it soon after the repair.

You would be advertising a canopy with unknown number of jumps, but with new lines and new center cell after a thorough inspection (the factory inspecting and repairing it is a big plus). If I were in the market for a used canopy, that sounds more attractive than many other deals out there, where they just promise that it is in great shape, with some claim of 600 or so jumps.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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Dealing with a 1996 Stiletto and looking for opinions of whether to repair it, or replace it. This canopy has been well used and if the line set is replaced, this will be the third, or forth set. We have no way of knowing how many total jumps it has? This is the third owner of said canopy.

Repair totals: $550.00
[/QUOTE]

Buy a new to me Stiletto with fewer jumps and a fresh line set for about the same money.

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[jdathome 0]

Thanks for all the great feedback! I enjoyed all the interesting comments and ideas. The one thing I failed to think of was brought up by sundevil777. I always try to avoid sweating on the canopies I pack. But when it’s 100 degrees and humid, it’s going to happen. Also, the thought of selling a canopy that has been certified by the mfg makes this item more appealing to potential buyers.

Just an update on what the owner of the canopy did decide. He is fixing the canopy. At first my thought was to talk him out of it, this was before posting the subject. After he convinced me it was worth it, I decided to ask the group. After all the debate, I guess I’ve changed my mind and think repairing the canopy is a good idea.

You guys rock!

Blues…

Marriage is like a deck of cards. You start with two harts and a diamond only to discover you wish you had a club and a spade!

[JohnRich 4]

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I guess I’ve changed my mind and think repairing the canopy is a good idea.

91% of the people in who voted in your poll disagree with you.

[jdathome 0]

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I guess I’ve changed my mind and think repairing the canopy is a good idea.

91% of the people in who voted in your poll disagree with you.

This is why I wanted to get the opinion of others. I started out thinking the canopy would be a hazard and not worth the money. But after really thinking about it, maybe repairing it will be a good idea? Ultimatly, it is the owner of the canopy that has to decide and I was hoping to get enough info from this poll to help make my case for him to retire the canopy. Even though the poll is very one sided to support my original thoughts, I now see better reasons to fix it, fly it, and go from there.

Thanks Again Everyone!

Marriage is like a deck of cards. You start with two harts and a diamond only to discover you wish you had a club and a spade!

[Ron 10]

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The center cell top skin is almost always the first to fail, because it sees by far the most wear (packing!). ....

Given that the canopy is apparently worth the lines and the slider, the only additional cost is the $250 for the center cell. It'll be as good as new with that, so my vote goes to repairing it. Any second hand Stiletto you could buy for $ 550 will very probably not be in the condition this one will be after the repairs.

Unless, of course, the colours are ugly. And keep in mind you can never sell it for what it's worth - you'll have to jump it to recover the expenses. At $ 1 / jump, after repairs, the canopy should be good for another 500 jumps.

Best response so far......IMO.

At 1.00 a jump do you think the new canopy will last 500 jumps?

As an aside, the same thing happened to me years ago (same type canopy, same issue...really the same thing). It needed several top cells so the cost was 700ish.

I bought a new canopy.

But if you think it will last 500 jumps after this fix... Then I'd fix it this time and then use it as a car cover next time.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[JohnRich 4]

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I now see better reasons to fix it, fly it, and go from there.

One other thing to consider: after major surgery on a canopy, such as replacing an entire cell, they often never fly quite right again. They may have a built-in turn, for example. Things just get out of symmetry.

Good luck with the canopy - I hope it works out well for you.

[sundevil777 102]

My old PD210 was fixed by the factory after an encounter with soybeans and a later major tear of about 6 feet - all new center cell. It was great after the repair. I still stood up the landing even with the 6 foot long tear.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am