Was out with my HQRush pro 300 and noticed what looked like a bulge on one side of the wing. Turns out one of the chamber walls is split pretty bad.
Given that this is my first power kite I'm a little bummed and wondering if I should consider getting it fixed Somehow, or just continuing to fly it
as is and keep learning how to fly. On that note what should I do to imProve my flying other than just keep flying.
Ant advice is appreciated.Bladerunner - 14-6-2012 at 05:20 PM
Work on flying blind. Controling the kite without looking at it. Practice Down loops. Turning the kite down toward the ground ( with gravity ) . If
the wind is strong practice sitting on your butt and diving the kite to lift yourself up .
If you can post pictures it will help. Flying the kite with blown out ribs will likely lead to further damage ??? If the ribs are accesible then
kitefix may work?Roadkyllphil - 15-6-2012 at 06:58 AM
Oh yeah, http://www.powerzonekitesports.com/
These guys do repairs, unless you are good with a sewing machine and want to get the ripstop to repair it. My wife and I fixed my Beamer IV that had 4
blown ribs, it flies like new.StebbimacDaddy - 15-6-2012 at 02:11 PM
Thanks for the link and advice. The rib is torn pretty much lead edge to trail edge between the 5th and 6th cells of the kite. Is this worth a
professional repair, or even attempting a patch job. I got the kite second hand as my first kite and I've already been thinking bout what's next. If I
don't fix it and keep flying it, what's the worst thing that can happen?
I also have a 1.2m flexifoil sting, should I just wait for the high wind days and fly that only as my trainer? Anybody wanna just send me a new kite
maybe something in a 4-5m range, on handles.
It can't hurt to ask right.bobalooie57 - 15-6-2012 at 02:27 PM
I just looked at my Rush Pro 300 to see where the damage would be. If I have the right rib, it is the one next to the center rib, having one cross
vent in it. It looks like if flown without repair, a lot of stress would be on the adjoining cell stitching, increasing the possibility of blowing
out the cell completely. I would try to repair it using nylon repair tape (adhesive backed). To hold the rip together, I would use scotch tape on
one side, to match up the tear, then nylon tape the other side. Then go back and remove the scotch tape, and nylon tape that side.Bladerunner - 15-6-2012 at 04:46 PM
If you don't want to go to much trouble just check a camping store or similar for tent repair tape and do both sides.
bobalooie57, not to po-po your repair with tape, as if it works for you, great. I am surprised what works at times myself. No disrespect intended. I
have gotten more than a few calls on the subject. I sealed up the ripped out seams on a kite at NABX this year that should have gone to the garbage. I
used KiteFix and the guy is still flying the kite.
I found that the TAPE is just that, tape, and is not designed to hold 2 half's together with any side pull, but designed to patch holes, or use to
hold pieces as they are being sewn together. (there is a new tape product out that is an epoxy adhesive on one side that needs to be activated to
hold).
The inside pieces are the ribs, and there job is to hold the top and the bottom at a predetermined distance from each other and to aid in the use of
the bridle system.
If you have a blown cell and keep flying it, it will get worse and do greater damage. 10 times out of 10, the cause of the blown cell is flying the
kite upside down into the ground. LOL The kites leading edge is designed to be on the top and the rest of the kite follows it. The trailing edge is
designed to follow the leading edge( might be why the names are LEADING and TRAILING). When the kite goes up and turns 180 degrees and does a nose
dive to the ground is when you blow a cell or at the worst, the entire kite with nothing left but shreds of ripstop. This can happen as soon as the
the first time out of the bag, or never.:puzzled:
Kite fix the problem if you can access the area, send it to a repair shop, or hang it on the wall as proof things can go wrong, or the one I like, use
it as a pillow:D larger kites are a bit cumbersome, but can be used as an air mattress. hahahahahahahaStebbimacDaddy - 21-6-2012 at 12:00 PM
Sent out to Windfire designs today. Will report on their work when the kite comes back in early July. Thanks for everyone's input.StebbimacDaddy - 4-9-2012 at 08:45 PM
Windfire took 8 weeks to get kite back to me and same cell is blown second time out since its return. Obviously I'm a wee bit disappointed here.tridude - 4-9-2012 at 09:57 PM
Fixmykite or powerzonekitesports.com.........life of the kite warranties, fast service, true professionals...........dont waste anymore flying timeabkayak - 5-9-2012 at 10:37 AM
That was my first kite!!! I had it out in 30+ just like a few times before.. it was the end of my flying day when I took it thru the power zone 1 last
time. Got supermaned.... kite went LE into the ground blew out like 4 cells.... Its a great kite, it really helped getting me to the point I’m at,
but too many or too hard an impact and you can use them to cover the BBQ for the winter.... not a complaint at all for this kite or company......if I
had it all to do again I would. After the winter I might slit it open and see if I can start to learn to sowTodd - 5-9-2012 at 11:14 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by StebbimacDaddy
Windfire took 8 weeks to get kite back to me and same cell is blown second time out since its return. Obviously I'm a wee bit disappointed here.
How did it blow again? Did you crash the kite LE down?
Windfire Designs also has a warranty.shehatesmyhobbies - 5-9-2012 at 12:48 PM
I am sure that if you are "crashing" the kite Leading Edge Down Powered up especially on the beach, it is not going to make a difference who makes the
kite, they just don't handle crashes like that. Brand new out of the bag, it can happen to any kite out there. You are not the first person to pop a
kite, nor will you be the last. I have seen guys that have flown for years get in a situation and LE crash a kite on the beach and POP , another one
bites the dust.
In defense of Windfire Designs, I am sure that the repair was done correctly, not sure about the time side of it, but that is not for me to say on how
busy they may be or if they were at kite festivals.
If you see your self getting ready to crash hard on the LE, let go of the bar, or handles and let it lose some power as to reduce the amount of damage
done to your kite.
Not bashing you, just trying to give some sound advice on flying your kite safely and to help reduce unnecessary damage to your kite.Bladerunner - 5-9-2012 at 05:33 PM
What a bummer. I hope this doesn't turn you off of the sport.
I suggest that the next time you try and just keep the kite at zenith and IN CONTROL. Do this for a long enough time that you are reacting and keeping
it there without thinking. Only then should you start to fly it a bit and still high in the window. Take your time and set those memory reflexes
before moving on. Boring , I know but it is the best way to go.
I have a feeling you have been flying the heck out of the kite when you don't really have the control aspect down yet. It's a very common thing with
beginers on their own. This means you have been crashing the kite hard on it's leading edge. Doing so will blow up even the best of kites eventually.
