My Charger decided to eat a tree: it relaunched after a landing and I was too close to back pedal it to safety. This was back in May.

Anyway I repaired the 2 tears with M2 spinnaker tape and it flew great on two sessions after that, but as I rolled it up I noticed that the stitching along the seam of the cell next to the repair had come undone and it is no longer attached to the internal top strap.

The REPAIR: There are two 1" tears where the stitching once was and it is not attached to the internal webbing strap.

I would have to turn the kite inside out to tape both sides, and the stitching is beyond my capabilities. So I wonder, how bad an idea is it to simply tape the outside to stop it from unstitching more?

A second question: any recommendations of repair options on the Cape?

Tapeing would be a bad idea IMO. Powerzone or the person on here makes nasa wing (KiteMaker4?) could possibly repair it if you don't feel up to it.

tape is good if ALL dry and clean , it can seam as well. ...always follow with stitch! even if only by hand. the high quality clear tapes are great for small low load spots, not so good for stitching unless fibered. adhesive ripstop of similar weight 2' wide is the fix all. add stitch and good to go.

1" tear is an easy fix, tape alone could control that for some time. tape it. stitch it in 10min. send for pro repair if in doubt or desire. the shipping time alone for me is a challenge, despite ample backup...your best kites just get tattered and UV damage after 1000+hours is the beginning of the end.

and you have to stitch the internal strap. if i understand it was detached as well

Do you have any pictures.

Susan (npw goddess)

I will upload some tomorrow.

http://mysite.verizon.net/hbreid/windfixes.html

http://masskiting.com/content/wind-fixes-kite-repair

These two links are to the same person in the next town over on the cape... Sounds like a good option, Just have to wait 6 days until I go off island.

It's the stitching that worries me the most. If I don't reattach to the top strap, and only seal the outside with the spinnaker tape, how bad could it be? I was tempted to cut between the tears so I could easily tape both sides of a ca. 6 inch cut.

It was flying great up to the end of its last session. I will post pics tomorrow. At least there's not even enough wind for this kite in the forecast.

strap attachment on an inside cell without separation can go with out being attached as long as the adjacent points are solid, but should be repaired with stitch.

if its a loaded terminal area def needs stitch

The damage is in the cell to the left of the left intake, just off center.
Here is the part that is un-stitched:


and a close up of the two tears:

Your info says you are located in Germany.

Susan (npw goddess)

I'm on vacation on Martha's Vineyard and on my way to Barnstable, MA on the 6th.

tape it, and keep moving. CLEAN AND DRY , dry the kite inside with AC for a few hour get it dry as possible. pro repair later when convenient

Thanks PHREE,

that's exactly what I wanted to hear. I almost did the quick fix, but I was unsure how that would jive with the pro repair done later.

the adhesive can be a pain in some cases, but keep on rolling