Ello, my 11m Sonic has a slow puncture in the main bladder. Sometimes it lasts 2 hours without hardly any deflation, sometimes it seems to last only 30 minutes.

On Saturday (awful sesh!) my OH was filming as the kite went all out of shape (the tips meet and it just drops from the sky). The film URL is at the end of this posting.


I know you only see the kite begin to go screwy, but my question is:
Poor technique, wind lull, or screwy bladder?

I just don't want to go through the faff of replacing the bladder until I really have to.

Cheers all,

Andrew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0qWeB0z1Vo

[Edited on 19-11-2006 by ajdesq]

url doesn't work.....

but for a LEI to clap hands its more than likely low pressure in the main bladder.

nothing for it but to get it fixed - this week - before it ruins another session or worse still bites you!

Just asked Al to fix the link... you can always delete everything in the address bar that appears after the '...Vo'

I've already fixed it!!!! (Al.)

Not that it shows you a lot.

But it might explain why I never get that problem with the 8.0.

Another email to Airjam...

as your just starting off i think youv'e sheeted in to hard and the kite is reversing out the sky, this happened to me first time on a sonic, to heavy handed on my part, a leaky bladder won't help either.....

Like Col said, not enough air, combined with a untuned kite, Next time your up this way give me a call and Ill tune it for you if your having probs still.

Cheers Shem... that'll be worth a trip in itself!

Best get everything fixed first though. It looks like the bladder is a 'must do'. Trouble is, me being the big blouse I am, will prob send the kite away to have the new bladder fitted.

I was having a really pants session on that day and ended up using the lines from my 8m for the 11m, (11m lines got a knot in, grr) so I guess the settings were indeed all skew-whiff. Now I just need Airjam to reply to my email for some replacement stuff... better chase 'em up by phone tomorrow, I guess it's been windy down Newquay way and they've been a bit 'busy'!

Andrew

Definately a bit heavy handed on the bar. Not un-common as you're learning as I'm sure the other guys will agree - Let the HARNESS do the hard work, try flying whilst holding the bar with only two fingers and try to relax your arms.

GK's are very light on the bar. Some people prefer a heavier bar pressure which is why some people prefer different kite feel. Stick with it....

dear chap fix the bladder yourself...........bostic clear( make sure it is the one that is inflamable) and an old piece of bladder and bobs your uncle!!!! see me for a spare bit of bladder if you have'nt got any when i am in borth...simple to fix!!!!
oh forgot .yes you were over sheeting the kite.

[Edited on 21/11/06 by mNeil]

Even simpler - I've got some bladder repair patches, in fact most new kites come with them. Really not that difficult, all you need is some stout rope and plenty of KY to make it mice and slippery.

ooos - wrong forum

I meant plenty of TALC to make it slippery