Today, I helped a friend launch in 30-40mph winds. We are both longtime kiters(12 yrs).

When I released kite, it went up and crimped on the leading edge, backed down into power zone and pulled kiter on beach a bit before he activated the IDS, which worked perfectly.

Other kites launched at same time were Rebel 7, Switchblade 12-big guy, and Crossbow 9. They went OK.

We pumped kite up even more. Double checking showed kite was rigged properly and super firm inflation.

Next launch, kite did same thing, it would not fly to edge of window for proper control. IDS had to be deployed again. Thankfully this system worked again perfectly.

So, could someone maybe comment on this situation. Is it perhaps is a glitch with that particular model and size? Kite has been flown before in 25-30 with no issues.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

RB

sounds weird. i don't have a switchblade. but the times i've had problems like this are when there is something wrong with the bridle.

sounds like it was way oversheeted? check the line lengths?

He used same kite yesterday with no problem. But in much less wind.

On 2nd launch today, he had back lines on outside knot and kite depowered on the front lines. I don't think he was oversheeted. We're baffled.

I would like to point out that I am not trying to bash Cabrinha kites. In fact this is my kite I am speaking of. I have flown Cabs since original Crossbow came out in 2005. And love them.

My friend who was checking it out is also a longtime Cab owner. And quite a solid kiter.

weird.

twisted bridle. seized pulley?......

I had a time like this and the one of the bridles on the le had twisted around on itself making it a couple of inches short on one side. the kite flew like shit.\

Funny cause this week I launched a SB 8m 2012 in +- 35 knots of wind and then realized that one of my line was twisted, I couldn't pull the kite on the right side so it went right through the power zone just before looping on the beach, that is when I released onto IDS which worked perfectly. After untwisting my line it flew great and it was in 35 knots weather and It could have taken a bit more. Really smooth and safe kite for big wind. In my case it was a twisted line but what the prvious poster said about a jammed pulley would make sense. For sure it is not the design of the kite that makes it fly like that

Jules

I have the same kite and have also experienced this when the kite has not been fully inflated.

Sorry, just reread your post and see that inflation is not the issue. I have definitely had this problem before, and wonder if it is to do with line length. I swap my bar/lines with other kites so will pay more attention next time. It has to either be over-sheeted, or under-sheeted.

Check line length. Assuming no modifications to the bridle or pulleys?
http://gallery.cabrinhakites.com/video/122/cabrinha-2011-bar-tuning

Did you check where the pulleys run for anything on the lines?
My Xbow got a small piece of algae on the line once and it was enough to jam the pulley. Maybe even a twist in the line could do the same.