Soul kite repair

[Trent hink]

I am in need of repairs to my 12m Soul. Tear along seam on leading edge next to center intake. I believe it is out of warranty as I am the second owner. I've reached out to Flysurfer for recommendations on where to repair. Would prefer somewhere locally (Tampa Bay area) if possible. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

20200126_160417.jpg

For a complex repair, send it to Tim Elverson at Windfire Designs.

I believe he is in Tallahassee. I haven't used his services for a very long time, but he once re-attached the entire wing tip on my speed 1.

Beautiful work, color matched so almost invisible, and the kite flew perfectly when i got it back. Prices back then were very reasonable.

[foilholio]

Foil kites while being more complex to repair can all be repaired on a home sized sewing machine. It is often quicker and easier to open the cell seam on a straight section away from internal straps and nearest the damage to repair. Closing the cell seam is quite easy and much easier than opening and closing the TE like on flysurfers which have a covered and annoying seam.

You can do repairs by just covering the inside with a repair strip with double sided tape, usually about an inch wide. You stitch the outer edge of the strip with a single run of 3 leg zigzag and then the tear itself with 2 runs, trying to crisscross them.

Small repairs are fine to glue a patch on the inside. E6000 or contact adhesive work well.

[JakeFarley]

It's on its way to Tim at Windfire Designs in Gainesville, Florida. My local shop said it was a bit too complex of a repair for them perform and guarantee. I'll post the result when I get the kite back in about 2 weeks.

[Ice101]

Did the kite hit leading edge down and chamber explode? Had 9m and 10m souls both do that after they fell out the sky while turning and fell off the board and one following a sudden momentary loss of wind. Luckily mine were only weeks old and replaced on warranty.

[foilholio]

It is sad a good solution to that hasn't been found yet. Pansh's seems the closest. It's a huge weakness on small foils.

[JakeFarley]

Did the kite hit leading edge down and chamber explode? Had 9m and 10m souls both do that after they fell out the sky while turning and fell off the board and one following a sudden momentary loss of wind. Luckily mine were only weeks old and replaced on warranty.

No hard impact. Just caught a tree during a senior moment. Most of the damage was to my ego. First time in 19 years I hurt a kite, hopefully the last.

[downunder]

Did the kite hit leading edge down and chamber explode? Had 9m and 10m souls both do that after they fell out the sky while turning and fell off the board and one following a sudden momentary loss of wind. Luckily mine were only weeks old and replaced on warranty.

Interesting.

If remember well, the advert vids were all about crashing a >=12m on LE

Something must give away...

[flying grandpa]

It is sad a good solution to that hasn't been found yet. Pansh's seems the closest. It's a huge weakness on small foils.

Just yesterday I crashed 8m Soul leading edge quite heavily. Both air outlets opened and maybe that saved my kite. Managed to relounch quickly pulling back lines and safely sailed ashore to close the outlets.
Maybe put velcro straps a bit aside when closing air outlets to weaken their hold and that will resolve our problem?

Tadeusz

[joriws]

Also paraglider repair shops are able and willing to repair foil kites.

[foilholio]

I think the rear velcros will work but they need to be thin so they open easier and maybe have more on the TE.