grounded in botswana with a ripped kite and no flippin clue!

botswanakiter · Post by **botswanakiter** » Tue May 09, 2006 2:24 am

hi all,

am in botswana and planning on heading to mozambique for some mega kitesurfing! one problem, have a small six inch rip in the kite from the last session there.

it is along one of the seams at the bladder one over from the middle. can anyone tell me how to fix this? i can't get it to a kite shop as the closest one is durban 600kms from j0burg on the way to moz.

any advice would be highly appreciated.

am thinking of you all out there at nitinat ripping it up as summer approaches.

be safe and thanks.

JL · Post by JL » Tue May 09, 2006 6:29 am

Just stick any sticky nasty tape (packing/duct/stickers/SAIL REPAIR) on either side (front & back) of tear...You can have the section cut out & replaced when you find a sail maker.

Fluffy · Post by **Fluffy** » Tue May 09, 2006 7:20 am

Duct tape is "man's" best friend. Or if you can get your hands on some number material used for sails that works wonders! I would cross hatch it ie make strips over the tear and then 90 degrees to that piece. any sail maker worth his b--l's should be able to manage to take the tape of and repair that area without cutting out too much. Good luck Fluffy!

asscrack · Post by **asscrack** » Tue May 09, 2006 8:18 am

Sorry to hear about your torn kite.Definitely in a bad spot.Putting tape on the backside as well as the front is important.Crisscrossing also a good idea.Make sure the fabric is clean and dry before attempting the taping.The sticky number material is good stuff,and the "red" Tuck tape is better.{Super sticky}But if you don't have either,make do with whatever you can make work.Good luck in Botswana.Sounds like an adventurous spot.Cheers.

JL · Post by JL » Tue May 09, 2006 10:34 am

Dental floss & a needle can do wonders. Use a locking stitch.Pull needle through loop @ each stitch. http://www.boats.com/common/display_ima ... bactivity= For harness repair etc , I love : http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_deta ... 7196148948

botswanakiter · Post by **botswanakiter** » Thu May 11, 2006 3:36 am

hi all,

thanks to all who have replied. many people saying the same thing puts some confidence in the solution!

some things in life are easy after all. will do.

of course will get it repaired asap, but in the meantime, simple duck tape will do and get me on the water............

another question if anyone has time, my kite is a 16m ocean rodeo bronco 2003. whenever the thing hits the water i am fucked! i cannot relaunch. it seems that the kite is quite heavy as i have tried all the things i am supposed to to re-launch. any ideas anyone?

thanks again guys! looks like i am heading to moz next friday and then down to Sodwana Bay SA for a kite camp...get this, 300CDN gets me three nights accomodation, 5 hours instruction all on their gear! mind blowing!!! i am super stoked!!!

cheers ya'll

happy kiting

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Thu May 11, 2006 6:34 am

try asking your question here.

http://www.oceanrodeo.com/forum.html

Cheers.

JL · Post by JL » Fri May 12, 2006 7:30 am

This is handy as well: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_deta ... 7444055648

grounded in botswana with a ripped kite and no flippin clue!

grounded in botswana with a ripped kite and no flippin clue!

Kite tear repair

some things in life are easy!

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