Repair Busted Leading Edge

[lofus]

As the wind was dying yesterday I put my kite down and it rolled onto a stick and blew out the leading edge bladder. Talk about a crappy way to end a good session!

The LE now has a tear in it (along the circumfrance) and the bladder is toast. Its a 14m 07 Switchblade that was my favorite kite. I have a kitefix kit and can get a new bladder but I'm wondering if its possible to do a decent repair or if the kite will forever be weak in that spot and will just blow out again if I drop the kite durring a session.

Has anyone had any luck fixing something like this?

Jim

[Kosh]

Yup. Everything is possible. Even a self repair of the LE. Though it takes some time. I'll try to take a photo of my LE. Currently I only have a photo of the bladder and a photo of the repair while still unfinished. The Kitefix is not enough for fixing the LE. You should use some dacron in addition both on the inside and outside, plus stitching the area. I was lucky, the hole was close enough to the opening in the LE so that I could reach the area from inside. It doesnt look nice, but as long as it holds, I'm happy.

[kiteriding]

Sorry, but i am not agree with this .

The Kitefix is not enough for fixing the LE.

KiteFix already fix lot of LE , see the Kill to kite video , with the Fiberfix and after dacron glue with the Glufix , this is no problemo to fix the LE ..

see this video :
http://www.kitefix.com/kiteboarding-repair-video.html

Aloha Wave

[Kosh]

Possible. But a friend fixed his LE with Kitefix, it worked fine for two sessions until the LE ruptured. Result: A hole a lot bigger than to begin with. Maybe he didnt do it correctly, but he claimed so.

Conclusion: For fixing the LE, Kitefix is nice to have, I used it myself, but it is not always enough. It depends on the size of the hole. If small it may be enough, but a big one..I wouldnt bet on only glue. Stitch the area just to be on the safe side. I have myself experienced what a really hot beach can do to glue...even Aquasure/Urethane.

[tradewind]

Get it to a sailmaker used to kiterepairs , takes about 2 -3 hrs to repair and is strong as before ,but needs to be reeinforced and stiched professional , bladder needs a welding . It's a common repair on nearly all brands

the one from kosh looks like home made

[Kosh]

Get it to a sailmaker used to kiterepairs , takes about 2 -3 hrs to repair and is strong as before ,but needs to be reeinforced and stiched professional , bladder needs a welding . It's a common repair on nearly all brands

the one from kosh looks like home made

The bladder is fixed by me, yes. But 100% airthight. Used Aquasure and bladder material from an old kite. Scotch tape on the inside to keep the edges together before gluing the bladder material on the outside. As long as it works it doesnt matter much (for me atleast), dunno about the second hand value

[tradewind]

Kosh ,
if everybody could fix his kite by himself ,like you , that would be fantastic .
kiterepairs are hassle and no $, so kosh you are the perfect client ,just buying kites and repairing them yourself , great

[STORMBIRD]

Pull all of the bladders out and put that kite in the trash....mine goin in first thing tommorow morning...over it

[Kosh]

Kosh ,
if everybody could fix his kite by himself ,like you , that would be fantastic .
kiterepairs are hassle and no $, so kosh you are the perfect client ,just buying kites and repairing them yourself , great

Unsure what you mean, people usually pay for getting their kites fixed? Yes? Sounds like you claim that a shop looses money when a kite must be fixed? They may if the warranty covers the damage. But I highly doubt warranty covers fixing a big hole in the LE because of selflanding my kite over a sharp item.

[lofus]

My setiments exactly Kosh. Its my own fault the kite has a hole in it.

After cooling off, I unpacked my kite and inspected the damage. This tear is a little too close to the seam to warrant a kitefix repair. There is definately going to be sewing involved. The bladder is not bad so I think I can patch it. Where did you get the Aquasure?