It may depend on what North Sails Int owns in the manafacturing chain. If they own some big shares in manafacturing sails they may intend to be massive in kiting and windsurfing again.

North Sails are a huge wealthy company with the $ and experience to win at this battle.

As relative newcomer, I do really like the qlty of the North kites I not to long ago purchased. But do struggle with the name Duotone, is it just doesnt seem to scream kite surfing or windsurfing. Is that just our own familiararity? Like Cabrinha does, but why other than market recognition???

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Kamikuza said..

Kit3kat said..
it is still the same brand, they just figured that they wanted to invest the money they pay North for the licensing is better spent on R&D which I completely agree with.

Perhaps they should divert that money to building boards that don't delam?

The twintips are made by the "mothership" which is the most trusted snowboard manufacturer in the world.
The directional are the same.The issue with boards not lasting, is people expect them to do unrealistic things.
Buying a surfboard to boost huge, flatland airs on, is unreasonable.
Same when it's a twintip that you ride up the beach, like a gansta wakeboarder.

Everyone to their own, but I'm happy to call peoples bluff, when they are simply **** stirring.

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JBFletch said..

Kamikuza said..

Kit3kat said..
it is still the same brand, they just figured that they wanted to invest the money they pay North for the licensing is better spent on R&D which I completely agree with.

Perhaps they should divert that money to building boards that don't delam?

The twintips are made by the "mothership" which is the most trusted snowboard manufacturer in the world.
The directional are the same.The issue with boards not lasting, is people expect them to do unrealistic things.
Buying a surfboard to boost huge, flatland airs on, is unreasonable.
Same when it's a twintip that you ride up the beach, like a gansta wakeboarder.

Everyone to their own, but I'm happy to call peoples bluff, when they are simply **** stirring.

No **** stirring from my side. I broke a fin box on a brand new Whip Pro - a board I genuinely really like. My local dealer is a good guy doing his best to sort it out. Sky himself will hopefully come to the rescue - hoping he can dig up a few spare boxes in Maui and that fat elvis (AKA bjw) can take them back to Sydney for me.

Its just frustrating how incredibly difficult it is to source a replacement fin box, and I can only assume that its more difficult than usual due to the brand name change.

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JBFletch said..

Kamikuza said..

Kit3kat said..
it is still the same brand, they just figured that they wanted to invest the money they pay North for the licensing is better spent on R&D which I completely agree with.

Perhaps they should divert that money to building boards that don't delam?

The twintips are made by the "mothership" which is the most trusted snowboard manufacturer in the world.
The directional are the same.The issue with boards not lasting, is people expect them to do unrealistic things.
Buying a surfboard to boost huge, flatland airs on, is unreasonable.
Same when it's a twintip that you ride up the beach, like a gansta wakeboarder.

Everyone to their own, but I'm happy to call peoples bluff, when they are simply **** stirring.

But you don't ride stiff tts in the snow with deep channels taken out of the boards deck
which massively affects the boards strength

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DutchRooster said..

JBFletch said..

Kamikuza said..

Kit3kat said..
it is still the same brand, they just figured that they wanted to invest the money they pay North for the licensing is better spent on R&D which I completely agree with.

Perhaps they should divert that money to building boards that don't delam?

The twintips are made by the "mothership" which is the most trusted snowboard manufacturer in the world.
The directional are the same.The issue with boards not lasting, is people expect them to do unrealistic things.
Buying a surfboard to boost huge, flatland airs on, is unreasonable.
Same when it's a twintip that you ride up the beach, like a gansta wakeboarder.

Everyone to their own, but I'm happy to call peoples bluff, when they are simply **** stirring.

No **** stirring from my side. I broke a fin box on a brand new Whip Pro - a board I genuinely really like. My local dealer is a good guy doing his best to sort it out. Sky himself will hopefully come to the rescue - hoping he can dig up a few spare boxes in Maui and that fat elvis (AKA bjw) can take them back to Sydney for me.

Its just frustrating how incredibly difficult it is to source a replacement fin box, and I can only assume that its more difficult than usual due to the brand name change.

Spoke with north kitesurfing French importer/ distributor
During conversation he told me he couldn't understand the replacement / warranty issues in Australia not being honoured
said the weren't such issues in europe, do we have a more complicated arrangement here?
joe breaks his board, wants money back or replacement
dealer won't do that as he might be out of pocket
distributor won't either as he will also
so then it's down to the manufacturer ,
sorry joe,
The retailer is in a real shidty situation with scenarios like this

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cauncy said..

DutchRooster said..

JBFletch said..

Kamikuza said..

Kit3kat said..
it is still the same brand, they just figured that they wanted to invest the money they pay North for the licensing is better spent on R&D which I completely agree with.

Perhaps they should divert that money to building boards that don't delam?

The twintips are made by the "mothership" which is the most trusted snowboard manufacturer in the world.
The directional are the same.The issue with boards not lasting, is people expect them to do unrealistic things.
Buying a surfboard to boost huge, flatland airs on, is unreasonable.
Same when it's a twintip that you ride up the beach, like a gansta wakeboarder.

Everyone to their own, but I'm happy to call peoples bluff, when they are simply **** stirring.

No **** stirring from my side. I broke a fin box on a brand new Whip Pro - a board I genuinely really like. My local dealer is a good guy doing his best to sort it out. Sky himself will hopefully come to the rescue - hoping he can dig up a few spare boxes in Maui and that fat elvis (AKA bjw) can take them back to Sydney for me.

Its just frustrating how incredibly difficult it is to source a replacement fin box, and I can only assume that its more difficult than usual due to the brand name change.

Spoke with north kitesurfing French importer/ distributor
During conversation he told me he couldn't understand the replacement / warranty issues in Australia not being honoured
said the weren't such issues in europe, do we have a more complicated arrangement here?
joe breaks his board, wants money back or replacement
dealer won't do that as he might be out of pocket
distributor won't either as he will also
so then it's down to the manufacturer ,
sorry joe,
The retailer is in a real shidty situation with scenarios like this

Exactly that happened to my friend twice! I never bothered with North because about their quality issues especially at the start, having said that, their marketing department is excellent

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DutchRooster said..

JBFletch said..

Kamikuza said..

Kit3kat said..
it is still the same brand, they just figured that they wanted to invest the money they pay North for the licensing is better spent on R&D which I completely agree with.

Perhaps they should divert that money to building boards that don't delam?

The twintips are made by the "mothership" which is the most trusted snowboard manufacturer in the world.
The directional are the same.The issue with boards not lasting, is people expect them to do unrealistic things.
Buying a surfboard to boost huge, flatland airs on, is unreasonable.
Same when it's a twintip that you ride up the beach, like a gansta wakeboarder.

Everyone to their own, but I'm happy to call peoples bluff, when they are simply **** stirring.

No **** stirring from my side. I broke a fin box on a brand new Whip Pro - a board I genuinely really like. My local dealer is a good guy doing his best to sort it out. Sky himself will hopefully come to the rescue - hoping he can dig up a few spare boxes in Maui and that fat elvis (AKA bjw) can take them back to Sydney for me.

Its just frustrating how incredibly difficult it is to source a replacement fin box, and I can only assume that its more difficult than usual due to the brand name change.

Sounds like your board might be out of action for a while... If you're looking for a spare box to get back on the water why don't you use this: www.sanded.com.au/collections/surfboard-fin-system/products/futures-fin-boxes-black-white-centre-box and with a little know how, power tools and epoxy just fix it yourself (or get someone else to do it)...

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cauncy said..

JBFletch said..
The twintips are made by the "mothership" which is the most trusted snowboard manufacturer in the world.
The directional are the same.The issue with boards not lasting, is people expect them to do unrealistic things.
Buying a surfboard to boost huge, flatland airs on, is unreasonable.
Same when it's a twintip that you ride up the beach, like a gansta wakeboarder.

Everyone to their own, but I'm happy to call peoples bluff, when they are simply **** stirring.

But you don't ride stiff tts in the snow with deep channels taken out of the boards deck
which massively affects the boards strength

True. you ride a board that is at its thickest barely 10mm thick, has long profiled tip and tail and has extreme torsional force applied when ridden.
Believe me the mothership products are the best available.

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cauncy said..
Spoke with north kitesurfing French importer/ distributor
During conversation he told me he couldn't understand the replacement / warranty issues in Australia not being honoured
said the weren't such issues in europe, do we have a more complicated arrangement here?
joe breaks his board, wants money back or replacement
dealer won't do that as he might be out of pocket
distributor won't either as he will also
so then it's down to the manufacturer ,
sorry joe,
The retailer is in a real shidty situation with scenarios like this

The warranty program is Australia is simple, works efficiently and the dealers are all pretty happy with it.
The issue is, when an item such as a box is needed, that comes from an offshore manufacturer.

Future and FCS boxes are readily available and fitted to any board, by your local shaper.

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DutchRooster said..
No **** stirring from my side. I broke a fin box on a brand new Whip Pro - a board I genuinely really like. My local dealer is a good guy doing his best to sort it out. Sky himself will hopefully come to the rescue - hoping he can dig up a few spare boxes in Maui and that fat elvis (AKA bjw) can take them back to Sydney for me.

Its just frustrating how incredibly difficult it is to source a replacement fin box, and I can only assume that its more difficult than usual due to the brand name change.

Sorry to hear your whip fin broke.
I ride the older model and love it.

North use a Mulit box, that allows for use of multiple after market fins. Which often have tolerances in base size etc.Regarding the brand change. In theory it hasn't.The head office crew, design team, distributors and retailers are all the same.It's just a new logo. So warranties shouldn't be an issue.

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JBFletch said..

The head office crew, design team, distributors and retailers are all the same.It's just a new logo. So warranties shouldn't be an issue.

Nope, it will be an new company under Boards and More umbrella, they wont handle warranty stuff from North Kite boarding.

North itself will need to handle the warranty claims.

They were stupid anyway
Who puts a deflate valve on the wing tip....

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theDoctor said..

They were stupid anyway
Who puts a deflate valve on the wing tip....

Helps with loops when they leak.

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marco said..

JBFletch said..

The head office crew, design team, distributors and retailers are all the same.It's just a new logo. So warranties shouldn't be an issue.

Nope, it will be an new company under Boards and More umbrella, they wont handle warranty stuff from North Kite boarding.

North itself will need to handle the warranty claims.

Hey Marco,

Where do you get your information from mate? That's utter bollocks! Duotone will be handling all NKB warranty work and providing spare parts for years to come.

DM

Does anyone know if North will produce kites?

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ActionSportsWA said..

marco said..

JBFletch said..

The head office crew, design team, distributors and retailers are all the same.It's just a new logo. So warranties shouldn't be an issue.

Nope, it will be an new company under Boards and More umbrella, they wont handle warranty stuff from North Kite boarding.

North itself will need to handle the warranty claims.

Hey Marco,

Where do you get your information from mate? That's utter bollocks! Duotone will be handling all NKB warranty work and providing spare parts for years to come.

DM

Dazza don't go spoiling the troll with the the actual truth. this is the breeze.

Misinformation with occasional clarity in the form of utter bollocks.

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bjw said..
Does anyone know if North will produce kites?

Can only speculate really but I expect they will, if they can. Would be silly not to try and capitalise on the brand that has been built up by B&M.

Whether they produce their own gear or license the name to someone else who knows.

Either way they won't be using the designs and tech that have been developed and associated with North over the years, as that is all owned by B&M & Duotone.

Select to expand quote

cauncy said..

DutchRooster said..

JBFletch said..

Kamikuza said..

Kit3kat said..
it is still the same brand, they just figured that they wanted to invest the money they pay North for the licensing is better spent on R&D which I completely agree with.

Perhaps they should divert that money to building boards that don't delam?

The twintips are made by the "mothership" which is the most trusted snowboard manufacturer in the world.
The directional are the same.The issue with boards not lasting, is people expect them to do unrealistic things.
Buying a surfboard to boost huge, flatland airs on, is unreasonable.
Same when it's a twintip that you ride up the beach, like a gansta wakeboarder.

Everyone to their own, but I'm happy to call peoples bluff, when they are simply **** stirring.

No **** stirring from my side. I broke a fin box on a brand new Whip Pro - a board I genuinely really like. My local dealer is a good guy doing his best to sort it out. Sky himself will hopefully come to the rescue - hoping he can dig up a few spare boxes in Maui and that fat elvis (AKA bjw) can take them back to Sydney for me.

Its just frustrating how incredibly difficult it is to source a replacement fin box, and I can only assume that its more difficult than usual due to the brand name change.

Spoke with north kitesurfing French importer/ distributor
During conversation he told me he couldn't understand the replacement / warranty issues in Australia not being honoured
said the weren't such issues in europe, do we have a more complicated arrangement here?
joe breaks his board, wants money back or replacement
dealer won't do that as he might be out of pocket
distributor won't either as he will also
so then it's down to the manufacturer ,
sorry joe,
The retailer is in a real shidty situation with scenarios like this

We've never really had any trouble with North warranties, have been dealing with them for years. One of the products with the least faults and the most reliable backup/replacement for us. Looks like there is a different perception around here though.

I find it unlikely it's much better overseas, Australia has some of the best consumer protection law in the world. Everyone has a bias, and I expect the guy you spoke to has a similar experience to me as a retailer, the vast majority of warranty claims I've ever had with B&M are sorted out with 0 qualms or issues.

The only warranty issue I can recall on a B&M product (North/Duotone, Fanatic, ION) that we have had reasonable claim rejected on, is an ION wetsuit that had the zip fail which they put down to a lack of maintenance. On a whole they're excellent. Just last week they covered a repair on a Fanatic SUP that could easily have been rejected as damage in use/misuse, I expect several would have, but they covered the repair no issues at all.

Legally to the consumer, the Australian importer and the retailer has to honour the warranty not North or BM International anyway.

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bjw said..
Legally to the consumer, the Australian importer and the retailer has to honour the warranty not North or BM International anyway.

Boards and More, previously North, now Duo Tone will honour the warranties.

Not hard to comprehend.

Sweet. I had my north sails top for over 20 years (it was boxed so I didn't wear it for 18). Now it looks even more retro than ever. Thanks DTone. Awesome.

One thing they have always been good at is having people talk about them. Any publicity is good publicity. Bit like Buzz kites

Finally got the fin boxes!

Big shout out to my local shop. Sam at Windsurfnsnow kept at it. In the end Sky sent a few spares to him from Hawaii.

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DutchRooster said..
Finally got the fin boxes!

Big shout out to my local shop. Sam at Windsurfnsnow kept at it. In the end Sky sent a few spares to him from Hawaii.

North boards have Futures boxes don't they? What is special about the ones used from North?

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DutchRooster said..
Finally got the fin boxes!

Big shout out to my local shop. Sam at Windsurfnsnow kept at it. In the end Sky sent a few spares to him from Hawaii.

Good to hear a good news story. Now, when are the retailers going to start dumping North stock?

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RussKraut said..
One thing they have always been good at is having people talk about them. Any publicity is good publicity. Bit like Buzz kites

Really? ... in the same basket as buzz kites.

One has Earnt the right to be talked about me has delivered a high quality product before most of you had even heard of the sport let alone do it.

One has done neither.


Dont think so my dear friend.

Hows things by the way ?

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eppo said..

RussKraut said..
One thing they have always been good at is having people talk about them. Any publicity is good publicity. Bit like Buzz kites

Really? ... in the same basket as buzz kites.

One has Earnt the right to be talked about me has delivered a high quality product before most of you had even heard of the sport let alone do it.

One has done neither.


Dont think so my dear friend.

Hows things by the way ?

Haha I knew you'd bite. Need to convert your North tatoo to Duotone now ;-)

All good here but can't wait for the day we pack our things and come back home to the warm sunny windy paradise. Can't even drive on the beach here.

Bought a Vegas again as I missed doing a bit of low kite flat water stuff. But still enjoy the "no pulley no worries" direct and and simple hybrids for everything else.
Pulleys suck :-))))))

Pretty sure the Vegas doesn't have a pulley lol ...

but it has a loaded fifth. Therefore it works...

Duotone?
Sounds like a brand name for cocksleeves

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Livit said..

DutchRooster said..
Finally got the fin boxes!

Big shout out to my local shop. Sam at Windsurfnsnow kept at it. In the end Sky sent a few spares to him from Hawaii.

North boards have Futures boxes don't they? What is special about the ones used from North?

They are a combo fin box that will take either futures or FCS. Pretty neat!