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I was inflating my SB 16 last week, didn't notice that one of the wingtips was caught in the bridle, and I blew up one of the small strut bladders near the wingtip. I have the bladder out, and it's not a straight cut, it's all stretched and mangled. I can't see how it could be repaired, so I think I need a new one.

I spent a long time on Cabrinha's site and I can find model numbers of the bladder I need, but I don't see where I'm supposed to buy them. I submitted a question to them on their site, but it has been a week and they haven't seen fit to answer, so I'm a little annoyed with them.

Where can I get a new Cab bladder?

Try your dealer first. If you don't have one and are in the US, let me know as I can help.
I just need the description and product number.

Bob
www.kiteridersllc.com

Your nearest Cabrinha dealer should be able to sort you out one way or another.
Either he has them(they wont be cheap), or he can get them (even less cheap), or he can tell you where to get them : )
Regards
Nico

I've had good luck with kitebladder.com

Keep in mind that you can sometimes get away with a larger bladder than the exact size for that strut, which means if your supplier doesn't have that exact bladder, you might be successful with the next size larger for that kite. You need to make sure the valve is in the right place. If it is not, the valve will want to move to it's natural position once inflated and stress out the connection.

Have you tried tear-aid? I've repaired huge blowouts nearly 8 inches long with 3 inch wide tear-aid. There is a right and wrong way to use tear-aid. Do a search, I remember seeing good instructions here somewhere.

contact Neil Pryde Maui

http://www.neilprydemaui.com/

They should be able to set you straight.

I had a bridle issue and contacted Cabrinha support and they pointed me to Neil Pryde Maui. They got me all fixed up.

lawnmower wrote:Have you tried tear-aid? I've repaired huge blowouts nearly 8 inches long with 3 inch wide tear-aid. There is a right and wrong way to use tear-aid. Do a search, I remember seeing good instructions here somewhere.

After following your advice, I did a search on the forum, and hear are some tidbits of information I learned:

Typa A is great for bladders.
Type A is for fabric, don't use it on a bladder.
Type B is great for bladders.
Type B is for vinyl, bladders are polypropylene.
Type A works great for canopy repairs.
Type A is not for canopy repairs because it stretches and won't stop rips.
Type B works great for canopy repairs.
Type B is for vinyl and won't stick to the canopy.

Soooooo... As you can see, it was a very informative search.

Which type should I use for a bladder? Should I cut out the stretched mangled part before patching it?

I know what you're talking about I got a lot of confusing information when I first starting doing my own blowout repairs.

Neither Tear Aid Type A nor Tear Aid Type B should ever be used for canopy repair. You can use Dacron Sail Tape for canopy repair, make sure you sew to prevent creep and make it a permanent repair.

Tear Aid Type A is used for all plastic repair except for Vinyl. Tear Aid type A is made of polyurethane.

Bladders are polyurethane. Use Tear Aid Type A.


Tear Aid Type B is for Vinyl repair only. Use it to repair beach balls, inflatable mattresses and above ground swimming pools.

That said, I have seen people use tear aid type b on bladders it sometimes works.

you MUST cut the mangled part out before applying a new patch.

The reason for this is that any wrinkles will cause air to escape and a blown out section will always give you wrinkles because it's all misshaped.

Cut out the damaged area, place a paper towel inside measure and cut off tear aid type a, use rubbing alcohol to clean, it wont stick if you forget to clean it, make sure when you apply you get no wrinkles.

polypropylene is what thermal clothing like underarmour is made of.

+1 for kitebladder.com

He replaced my LE bladder in my Contra and did a really nice job. Has tons of Cabrinha bladders

knot_moving wrote:+1 for kitebladder.com

He replaced my LE bladder in my Contra and did a really nice job. Has tons of Cabrinha bladders

That's the best source, IMO. For canopy repairs a local sailmaker is the best bet. I had a panel replaced on a 12m and a panel/part of the trailing edge replaced on a 6m, all for $130. They are in my quiver as back up kites now, I was almost ready to toss them.

edt wrote:Tear Aid Type A is used for all plastic repair except for Vinyl. Tear Aid type A is made of polyurethane.

Bladders are polyurethane. Use Tear Aid Type A.

...you MUST cut the mangled part out before applying a new patch.

...Cut out the damaged area, place a paper towel inside measure and cut off tear aid type a, use rubbing alcohol to clean, it wont stick if you forget to clean it, make sure when you apply you get no wrinkles.

Gotcha. Now if I'm getting this right, type A comes in 3 inch wide strips. The area the bladder was damaged in is a nasty stretched out herniated section about 4 inches to a side. The damaged section is really bulged and won't sit flat. If I were to trim this out and make clean sides to it and use a glue product on any wrinkled sections, could I pull the edges in a little bit, being careful to neatly fold any creases, and try to generally make it have enough to grab on to? What glue would be good to fit this purpose?