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North Reach LE scratch

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BE_Kiter
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North Reach LE scratch

Postby BE_Kiter » Thu May 13, 2021 5:51 pm

Hi,

I've noticed that my Reach 11 has a scratch on the LE. Probably caused by a shell on the beach. I'm a bit disappointed that this could damage the LE.
Should I worry, repair?
The kite is 1 year old.

Thanks for any advise.
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IMG_3525.jpeg

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Re: North Reach LE scratch

Postby Faxie » Thu May 13, 2021 6:42 pm

Stuff like this just happens.

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Re: North Reach LE scratch

Postby appelton » Thu May 13, 2021 6:44 pm

Put some Aqua Seal on it just so it won't get any bigger.

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Re: North Reach LE scratch

Postby nixmatters » Thu May 13, 2021 10:42 pm

Patch it on the inside with something not elastic - dacron, insignia, even spinnaker, but not tear aid or similar.
I had a very similar one and noticed it after the hole had grown a bit and the bladder could be clearly seen. Luckily on time.
It was a meter away from the tip (10m kite) and getting there through the zipper was impossible, so I used a stick to bring the patch through the tip. To be on the safe side I put a patch on the outside too. PM me if you want some photos and more details
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Re: North Reach LE scratch

Postby sarc » Fri May 14, 2021 4:09 am

Tear aid would work fine for this small hole - just make sure you have 1/2 inch tape around it. I've done it dozens of times. Obviously clean well, dry well, and apply lots of pressure on the tape when you put it on (use the back of a spoon).
Anything bigger would need sewing.
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drone
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Re: North Reach LE scratch

Postby drone » Fri May 14, 2021 6:12 am

Patch it from the inside with patch from repair kit.

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Re: North Reach LE scratch

Postby TheJoe » Fri May 14, 2021 4:51 pm

I personally have all my leading edge tears repaired with a sewn on patch. I have made it work with a tear aid patch before on a small tear. I tend to ride very hard and crash kites violently sometimes. Your leading edge is under a lot of stress this is why I all ways get it sewn and not just a sticky patch on it. My 9m Reach has 3 repairs from rocks on shore line. Both times my fault :(.
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Re: North Reach LE scratch

Postby iriejohn » Fri May 14, 2021 4:54 pm

drone wrote:
Fri May 14, 2021 6:12 am
Patch it from the inside with patch from repair kit.
This ^^^

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Re: North Reach LE scratch

Postby Matteo V » Fri May 14, 2021 6:37 pm

TheJoe wrote:
Fri May 14, 2021 4:51 pm
I personally have all my leading edge tears repaired with a sewn on patch. I have made it work with a tear aid patch before on a small tear. I tend to ride very hard and crash kites violently sometimes. Your leading edge is under a lot of stress this is why I all ways get it sewn and not just a sticky patch on it. My 9m Reach has 3 repairs from rocks on shore line. Both times my fault :(.
Yes the stresses your LE is under are huge. Bit stitching is not as strong as you think. And "sticky backed" tape adhesive acts like a fluid most of the time and will flow (move). I only do glue and stitch on the LE.

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Re: North Reach LE scratch

Postby SMJ » Sat May 15, 2021 12:52 am

This is how I repaired a shell tear in the leading edge in one of my kites:



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