ernokaikkonen 0 #1 March 14, 2006 Bill Booth's post about line stowing practices surprised me. I hadn't realised some people were leaving that much lines unstowed. I usually leave about 50cm(20"), that seems to be enough to keep HP canopies from twisting up. Obviously some people think that's not enough, and maybe on some set-ups it isn't. So, in order to shed more light on the subject, here's a poll; How much line do you leave unstowed when packing a main canopy? If people feel that they have to leave close to 36" unstowed, and that same 36" is the threshold(as stated by Mr.Booth) that allows the nasty "lines-around-main-flaps" malfunction, something should be done. Is it really necessary in any situation to leave that much line unstowed? I've always thought that as long as the bag can leave the main container without snagging on the corners of the reserve container, you've got enough unstowed line. Maybe the unstowing of the lines and the resulting "bag wobble" during deployment can also contribute to line twists? If that's the case, what's the solution? One idea I came up with was to use a bag with only locking stows, and a pouch for the rest of the lines like on a reserve freebag. That way the lines would be fed out through the center of the bag during deployment, and as such there would be no bag wobble to worry about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 291 #2 March 14, 2006 14" to 18" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #3 March 14, 2006 About a foot Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #4 March 14, 2006 QuoteI've always thought that as long as the bag can leave the main container without snagging on the corners of the reserve container, you've got enough unstowed line. Bingo. QuoteMaybe the unstowing of the lines and the resulting "bag wobble" during deployment can also contribute to line twists? Doubtful. QuoteOne idea I came up with was to use a bag with only locking stows, and a pouch for the rest of the lines like on a reserve freebag. That way the lines would be fed out through the center of the bag during deployment, and as such there would be no bag wobble to worry about. Ask Sparky, he's been using one for some time.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meatbomb 0 #5 March 14, 2006 Rather than measure it, I leave enough for an extra stow, but less than enough for two extra stows...seems to work...--- Swoopert, CS-Aiiiiiii! Piccies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #6 March 14, 2006 Now that's a good answer. I wish i could have phrased mine like that. Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #7 March 14, 2006 Good way to phrase that. It works out to 18-24" on most of the rigs I pack, definitely not even close to 36" (I'm a packer). What is it with you guys and comparing length anyway?? Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fcajump 153 #8 March 14, 2006 Not wanting to change what has always worked for me... ~8" - about the distance from the links to the bottom corners of the main compartment with a little slack. (I also "split-stow" the last stow, a technique I don't teach but always use myself.) This keeps the lines from crossing the container near the closing loop anchor. About the gear used: Vector I and II PD-260 w/ dacron lines Spector -230 w/ spectra lines (I think) More techniques I use on my own gear but not currently recommended: 1" bites double wrapped stowes for all non-locking I KNOW this goes against current techniques, but it has worked on MY gear (old & big) for >1000 jumps and makes me happy. JimAlways remember that some clouds are harder than others... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrairieDoug 0 #9 March 14, 2006 Aerodyne's manual for its main canopies says "stow all the lines but leave 60 to 70 centimeters free to prevent line twists." Edited to add: Or approx. 24-28 inches Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #10 March 14, 2006 At a PIA Symposium 5 or 7 years ago, we posed this question to John Leblanc (Performance Designs), Brian Germain (Big Air), John Sherman (Jump Shack), etc. and the consensus was: "a minimum of 18 inches between the last rubber band and the connector links." Much less slack than that and you risk snagging a riser under the lower corner of the reserve container. Much more slack than that and you risk suspension lines half-hitching around main side flaps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blitzkrieg 0 #11 March 15, 2006 i was taught and also firmly believe in 18 - 24 inches. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #12 March 15, 2006 how does the split stow look? on my container (wings) with the 2-3" per stow, I have a choice of skipping the 8th and final stow on one end and having about 20-24", or I can use the last stow and have the lines from the opposite side stretch over. So I go with option 1. If I went with larger bights, probably wouldn't have that middle ground, but doesn't seem like an improvement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packing_jarrett 0 #13 March 15, 2006 it all depends on how much of a ruch I'm in. sometimes I'll leave 2 feet or I'll stow it almost all the way to the french links. Usually somewhere in the middle.Na' Cho' Cheese Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DirtyDon 0 #14 March 15, 2006 QUOTE-----on my container (wings) with the 2-3" per stow, I have a choice of skipping the 8th and final stow on one end and having about 20-24", or I can use the last stow and have the lines from the opposite side stretch over. So I go with option 1. I do that on my vector for the same reason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
