parachute shelter advice

[littlebiglane]

Hiyah,

I'm looking for a parachute to put up as day shelter for group work. I'm having a problem sourcing one of the right size. I have got one on loan but its a 100ft in circumference and something like 32ft in diameter which I feel is too big for woodland use (I think I would need a bloomin' big tree to hang it from!). I have not put it up yet to check if it is too big. But does anyone have any ideas or recommendations as to what size/spec/type of chute I should be going for and where I might get one? I am teaching groups of around no more than a dozen, often a few less and usually have a fire underneath the canopy.

Thanks

LBL

 

[Mesquite]

I've just bought one off of Twodogs but I was eyeing up this on ebay. He has them at that price regularly and a 20ft diameter ought to be just about right for what you're after Ian.

 

[g4ghb]

I have one of these - it is rather large but if you half it makes a fair teepee type shelter. I would go for larger as you can always peg it lower down if you want it smaller. I like to peg to the ground as it forms a good windbreak as well as roof - horses for courses I guess.

If you want it smaller you could always cut one 'layer' off as it is in concentric sections.

bear in mind by law they need to be cut and have the cord removed!

also Jasper is great to deal with! he will check it for you and choose one where the cut is easy to make good if you ask

Usual caveat - no association, just a satisfied customer

 

[Twodogs]

Yep I went though all this and the ebay one seems to be the ideal size ,

Spring must be springing if were talking about parachute shelters ..lol
Twodogs

 

[littlebiglane]

Yep I went though all this and the ebay one seems to be the ideal size ,

Spring must be springing if were talking about parachute shelters ..lol
Twodogs

Do you think that these have some kind of attachment or loop at the apex to attach some rope to hand it from a tree bough? The one on ebay looks like it has a hole at the apex but its not clear if you can attach said rope from there....

 

[Twodogs]

I just closed up the hole and tied it up with a long piece of cord to throw over a branch

This is the chute folded in half
Twodogs

 

[littlebiglane]

thanks for that

 

[Oblio13]

11 1/2' radius cargo chutes work best - they're less spherical than personnel chutes.

Two layers stretched tight and not touching makes a warm, breathable, waterproof shelter. Hard rain will come through the first layer as sort of an atomized spray, but won't go through the second.

 

[littlebiglane]

11 1/2' radius cargo chutes work best - they're less spherical than personnel chutes.

Two layers stretched tight and not touching makes a warm, breathable, waterproof shelter. Hard rain will come through the first layer as sort of an atomized spray, but won't go through the second.

Hmmm....interesting. Less spherical you say? Okay...will investigate too.
Thanks

LBL

 

[drewdunnrespect]

would love one of these but never had the use for one except maybe now as a tent

 

[rik_uk3]

Me and Nigel have noticed that after a few times of having a fire under a parachute shelter the smoke 'waterproofs' the chute.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

cheers rick didnt know that like but doesnt the chute permanently stink of smoke so then stink your house out once stored away

 

[Andy2112]

cheers rick didnt know that like but doesnt the chute permanently stink of smoke so then stink your house out once stored away

And what's the problem there Drew ? Smokey ruggedness, lol

 

[rik_uk3]

cheers rick didnt know that like but doesnt the chute permanently stink of smoke so then stink your house out once stored away

Nigel stores it in a nylon sack. It does smell when you unpack it but at home it will be in a sack or bin liner?

 

[drewdunnrespect]

mum and dad hate the smell and i currently live in there house

 

[FreddyFish]

I think I should be able to get you a cargo shoot for £30 if you are interested.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

bin liner rick

fred thanks for the offer but will sort my self out if i need one cos need to save the pennys at the moment
but cheers anyways

 

[Dave Budd]

I think I should be able to get you a cargo shoot for £30 if you are interested.

what size are they Freddy? I've been meaning to get myself a couple of shoots all winter (in time for when this year's courses start up ), but of course not got to them yet

 

[Toddy]

Mine really does smell of the old smokey bacon crisps. I store it in a large screw lidded plastic food barrel though so I can keep it outside in one of the sheds and not worry about mice.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[FreddyFish]

what size are they Freddy? I've been meaning to get myself a couple of shoots all winter (in time for when this year's courses start up ), but of course not got to them yet

I'm not sure, but the quote was "There bl00dy huge"
I'll get some more info if you like.