VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Wondering how big of a rip in the canopy is too big for a simple ripstop tape job? Obviously the best thing is to stitch a patch but can you ride a repair with confidence?
2 inches is the max? but not at a structural spot like near a strut?
Its the high wind kite too!
Bugger

Depends where the tear is located in the kite canopy. Nearer the LE and the middle of the kite tend to have higher fabric tension than near the TE or wingtips.

Go full width with the tape and two sides. Properly applied, it should hold long enough to the point where something else needs stitching and you can combine perimeter stitching with whatever else needs repair.

The PSA ( pressure-sensitive adhesives ) on ripstop spinnaker repair tape and Dacron sailtape is great under impulse loading ( sudden high loading ) but under low continuous loading they tend to creep & deflect in shear, particularly at warmer ( tropical ) temperatures.

If after a long session the tape hasn't shifted, it'll likely hold for the winter & spring. Probably best to have the tape locked down with stitching before the warm weather arrives.

Thanks Greg!

I've made several repairs with ripstop tape to my sailboat spinnaker and its lasting! but thought that a canopy repair in a higher load area of the kite wouldn't last. the tear is located adjacent to the connection of strut and leading edge. the loads when relaunching would be bad.

I should start hand stitching my kite I guess!

For that location the loading would be high. If you are adamant about holding off on a stitched repair, then put Dacron sailtape on the underside and likely over the Dacron reinforcing for the strut attachment near the tear, and spinnaker tape on the top side. 3 x heavier repair, but that thicker layer of PSA on the sailtape will provide better adhesion to the strut reinforcing, and should hold up until it's stitched.

I think if you try to duplicate by hand the lock-stitching done by a machine, even with a hand sewing awl, you'll find it a slow and arduous process.

Two words "tuck tape"