I'm wondering if this is repairable with sail tape or kite fix adhesive repair patches or if a more in depth repair will be required. If a patch will do, can someone pint me to a place where I can buy said remedy? The tear is about 10 inches from the leading edge on the top skin of the kite (Venom) damn near dead center. It's not torn right clean, there are a few threads holding it closed still but one flight and it'd certainly let go.

I repaired a similar tear in my symphony I've since sold with clear mylar tape. I was able to stick it on the inside and outside and it lasted for years. Took 5 minutes to do and you couldn't tell except that the tape was more shiny than the ripstop.

yep nothing a little spinnaker or mylar tape cant handle.................

This is exactly what I did with the Brooza !
If you can't get sail tape in Edmonton , I can send you a bit.

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob I repaired a similar tear in my symphony I've since sold with clear mylar tape. I was able to stick it on the inside and outside and it lasted for years. Took 5 minutes to do and you couldn't tell except that the tape was more shiny than the ripstop.

CLEAN AND DRY ...CREASE FREE

SAIL TAPE ....KITE FIX TAPE SEEMS A LITTLE STICKIER BUT I HAVE USED BOTH AND THEY ARE STILL RIDING

JUST ABOUT ANY TAPE WILL WORK IN THE FIELD TO GET YOU GOING BUT THE RESIDUE/REMOVAL MAY FOUL THE SITE FOR SIMPLE REPAIR LATER ...SO THE EASY ON EASY OFF FACTOR SHOULD BE CONSIDERED

A HUGE ROLL OF SAIL TAPE MAYBE $10-15 CLIP A FEW HAND SIZE SECTIONS FOR YOUR BAG & NEVER THINK ABOUT IT AGAIN

AND FOR BIG SECTIONS COLOR MATTERS

KiteFix tape is just standard spinnaker tape (Challenge Sailcloth) from the sail loft, repackaged for convenince in sizes useful for kiters. Great stuff, though. I always keep a first aid kit for the kite in the bag (as well as one for me).

Clear 3M duct tape is the way to go. Clean the area good, then heat the piece of tape on your heater duct on the car. When the tape is nice and warm apply to kite. I then take a quater and smooth the tape in...........aj

I've seen some of AJ's older kites before. The duct tape out weighed the kite... but it would still fly :frog:

But seriously... it will work on these kites quite well.

oh yeah

the duct tape is good "temp fix" that never gets changed.

Quote:

Originally posted by Taper123 I've seen some of AJ's older kites before. The duct tape out weighed the kite... but it would still fly :frog: But seriously... it will work on these kites quite well.

That was on my g1 proto that bought from Peter Lynn, that kite had so many hrs on it. ............aj:P

We have tedlar, mylar and colored ripstop repair tape in stock. With a tear that big you may want to have it sewn back together although the repair tape will work. It would be best if you can get to both sides of the tear to fix it. If you can't get inside the kite to the repair then you can still sandwich the repair without having to open up the kite but it takes a little patience.

First, lay the kite out so that it is perfectly flat and there are no wrinkles or loose fabric around the tear. You don't want to change the overall width of the cell you are repairing or it could effect the way the kite flies. Just match both sides of the tear up so that it is the same as before it got torn. It may help to put some books or other weights onto the sail so that it won't move around on you while you work on it.

Then cut a piece of sail tape that is a little longer than the length of the tear. Before removing the backing, put a crease in the tape to help it hold its shape a little more and not roll up on you. Carefully open up the tear and then remove the backing of the tape and slide it inside the kite through the opening, carefully positioning it so that it is centered over the tear. Then press the fabric down on top of the tape being extra careful that it sets in the exact same position so that it doesn't wrinkle or change the width of the cell. It is easiest to do one side and then move it into position and then press the other side where it needs to be.

Once you have it all put in place, press firmly on the area of the tape to make sure you have good adhesion. Then do the same on the top side of the tear so that the rip is sandwiched between the two pieces of tape. I use a spoon to press it all together as the curvature seems to roll over the tape/fabric good.

Another hint, when you cut your tape for the repair, round off any corners of the tape and it will help keep it from peeling up over time.

I usually go about an inch oversized on the tape for all sides of the repair.

Depending on where the tear is at, it should last you for many many sessions. I have had some PL's that have been repaired this way that have flown for years with no trouble at all. Cost of repair....about 5 bucks and a little time. Most of the time you can do the repair right on the beach if you have the tape. Oh, and duct tape works too but it leaves a very nasty sticky glue on the kite when you peel it off and put the other tape on.

Hope this helps.

P.S.....try doing this simple repair to an LEI? lol

Thanks everyone! I found a roll of sail tape just up the road for $18. Next warm spell I get I'll patch it up otherwise I'll have to find a way to unroll it inside. Lucky for me it's the center cell which has a handy zipper labeled "deflate" on it. :singing: