Who Still Makes Non Single Inflation Kites?

[Eltreato]

Hey Guys,

I've been out of the scene for a while. The last time I was in the market for a new kite was in 2009, around the time most manufacturers seemed to be going with single inflation point kites. I haven't been following kite design or models too closely since then despite still getting my share of time on the water each year. Personally I'm a fan of separate bladders as there's less to go wrong (ie. those little hoses, or "Octopus" valves) and finding leaks and fixing them is more straightforwards. Do any of the major manufacturers still make non one-pump inflatable kites? If so I'm interested in any brand names or kite models that offer this feature. Please post up if you know of any! I prefer non-beginner kites, but I realize this is something more likely to be found on lower end kites in manufacturers' model lines.

Thanks!

e

[Westozzy]

North Dyno still not one pump.

[SO_FL_Kiter]

Best makes the Kahoona in a "standard" model that does not have a one-pump system...

[davesails7]

Wainman I think.

I used to be a multi-point inflation advocate also, but the single point systems have gotten better and the selection of kites without has gotten smaller, so I gave in and went with multi point.

[yuko]

Airush DNA got no one pump,. but they did it for price point and for kite school abuse/repair.

[Eltreato]

Thanks guys, it looks like I may be forced into one-pump kites after all

[tomatkins]

Very timely thread... as yesterday, I got to the launch site and blew up my 6M 2012 Switchblade, and found that it would not hold air. I went home and learned how to pull out the bladder, and noted that one of the leading edge valves and separated from the bladder.

I have had no problems with my one pump type Cabrinhas for 4 years.

I hope that Aquaseal will re-glue on the valves.

Any suggestions on fixing this problem?

[SalmonSlayer]

I hope that Aquaseal will re-glue on the valves.

I have used both Aqua seal and 5200 successfully

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2380923&start=0

[CaptainArgh]

... as yesterday, I got to the launch site and blew up my 6M 2012 Switchblade, and found that it would not hold air. I went home and learned how to pull out the bladder, and noted that one of the leading edge valves and separated from the bladder.

I have had no problems with my one pump type Cabrinhas for 4 years.

I hope that Aquaseal will re-glue on the valves.

Any suggestions on fixing this problem?

Aquaseal may not work reliably or permanently. (from friends who have tried this option) Usually when this happens it is a defect in the material used to manufacture the valve. In the past it has been issues with recycled plastic, I think.

Save yourself the problem of troubleshooting this every session for your entire season and just buy those AirTime stick on valves and you'll be done.

Note that if it was a manufacturing defect
#1) Cabrinha might warranty it for you so check with them and
#2) all the valves will go. ...buy a bunch of stick-on valves!
Good luck.

[SO_FL_Kiter]

The Airtime stick on valves did not work at all on my 07 North Rebel...

I had the LE deflate valve fixed twice and a strut bladder fixed once at my local shop and still had failures at the same points. I had a custom set of bladders made for the kite, and no issues since then.

Maybe the valves are better now, or maybe there was a materials issue with the North bladders that didn't react well with the glue.