Rider: 1st Season
Style: Surf
Weather: 10-17 knots

Hi All,

I'm looking for your feedback so that I can ascertain whether this model is notorious for this or whether I scored a lemon. Please no brand bashers here, thanks. Apart from the issues I'll outline here I'm happy with the kite.
A bit of background. I bought it new in 09 flew it a few times, then packed it away in the shed until getting motivated again this year.

The middle strut has, from day 1, had a kink in it about 8 inches from it's joining point to the leading edge. This is where it 'sits' on the sand when it's getting pumped up. I thought not much on it until it has been mentioned to me by a few of my Cabrinha flying mates who noticed it recently when I was self launching and the centre strut was refusing to lift, causing me wasted time and generating extreme empathy from the others I'm sure.
In strong winds it doesn't tend to come into play much as the kite just seems to 'bounce' into position with great enthuiasm but in light winds, the Cab guys get a free laugh.

Has anyone fixed a problem like this on their kite of any make to date?
It has been the seed of a many relaunching sagas, some of which have turned into inversions and more time off the water.

Also two other 'things'
the chicken loop has twice pushed straight past the donkie dick (ie - donkie d appears very flimsy) Is there an easy fix for this?
and when in these light winds, if I manage to backstall the kite, (which I'm pretty good at) by over running the kite or hitting a sudden lull, or whatever, it is nearly impossible to launch from the trailing edge down.
My trim knot settings for these winds is L2 T2 or L2 T1 for the lighter end. (1 nearest the kite) The P-Line had shrunk according to the details of another thread, 2220mm, and after extending these lines back to this recommended length, the kite stalled way less, but still some, in the light stuff.

Apart from these things, in 15-25, the kite seems great. Please, I'm not looking for SS bashers or other brand recommendations, I'm not in the market - thanks, I'm only interested in constructive advice for remedying the issues outlined here.

Thanks for reading, looking forward to your responses.
Cheers
-Johnny