Hurricanes and Chute Shop

[freeflynick 0]

I have heard great things about the Hurricane, but not such great things about their manufacturer - Chute Shop. I have tried to contact them with questions but get no reply and have heard that getting equipment from them can take a lifetime. Does anyone have any info on the canopy itself, Chute Shop, or the best/cheapest/safest way to buy one of these canopies?
Thanks Folks!!

Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?"
Calvin: "Too few role models."

[darkwing 5]

there are other canopies that you hear great things about including their customer service. Buy from them.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[Sonic 0]

PISA is also in SA - Heatwaves are supposed to be kick ass. (I jump a hornet )

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It's like something out of that twilighty show about that zone

[Canuck 0]

I had a Blade Runner which was the predecessor to the Hurricane and really liked it. Very similar to a Stiletto, but trimmed steeper so it flew a bit faster and dove a bit harder. If the Hurricane is an improvement on the Blade Runner design, then I would guess the canopy is more in the Crossfire/Cobalt category - better openings, more bottom end lift.

As far as Chute Shop goes, they do seem to be hard to get a hold of, but I really don't think their customer service is bad. A guy at my DZ used to jump Chute Shop Reflex's. Twice he blew them up, and twice they sent him new ones. Know, that doesn't say much for the fabric they were using, but unless I'm mistaking they use Gelvenor now which is also used by Atair and Aerodyne.

All that said, I'm not sure I would buy from them again. I only bought the Blade Runner because I knew the local dealer and got a great deal on it.

Canuck

[freeflir29 0]

From what I understand Chute Shop won't sell the Hurricane outside of South Africa. The best way to get one is by giving some cash to a South African that will buy it for you. You can pick them up for about $600 brand new. I didn't get to fly one as the biggest one around here was a 120 which I would load about 1.8. A little much for me at 300 jumps. The SA guys here raved about it though. Said it was a lot like a Stiletto but A LOT more low end lift. I may buy one sometime in the not too distant future.

[puffdaddy 0]

I have a Hurricane 135 loaded at 1.54. I absolutely love the canopy. Good dive, fast turns and very responsive. I have had a few line twist due to my own packing and I never had to chop it, the twists just cleared itself. I jump camera and on a Full elliptical that could be a problem, but mine opens great and fly even better. The only problem is that with the current exchange rate you will pay about $800 for the canopy and the waiting period is 12 weeks. Contact Manny at manny@icarus.co.za, tell him Tallies send you and he will organize you a good deal.

Cheers
Tallies

" You have never lived until you've almost died, and for those who has experienced it, life has a flavour the protected would never understand"

[sdctlc 0]

Quote

but unless I'm mistaking they use Gelvenor now which is also used by Atair and Aerodyne.

I was looking at a Hurricane yesterday at the DZ. One of the jumpers that comes out now and then normally jumps at Namibia and he had one. The ZP used seemed to be the same used by Aerodyne. I have heard it called the South African ZP. It feels thicker and has a tacky feel compared to the Solar Max that PD uses.
The canopy seemed to be very nicely constructed. The workmanship was very good. The one thing I did not like was the line set. I am not sure what it was; it was not anything I have seen on a canopy recently built. It was almost like a cotton line but I don’t think that is what it was. Maybe a thin dacron line. Either way I did not like the lines, anybody know what they are? I did not jump it but the canopy seemed fly nicely and landed well. The guy jumping it was about 170lbs and had a 105 or so.
As to cost he was saying that the cost would be about $400 US. With exchange rates changing I would guess between $400-600 is probably about right.
It looked like a nice canopy, but that is only from seeing him fly it and looking over the canopy pretty well on the ground...

Scott C.

"He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!"