Hi everyone,

A topic was raised about 3 years ago about creases on new 2009 switchblade ids canopies. Basically some of them came out of the box looking like this ...

kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2352994&start=0

I have recently just had a look at buying one of these kites from a mate. After he bought the next seasons kite it has been in storage and has not seen much use. It was in very good condition, lines where great and colours where vibrant, leading edge looked like new however All the blue canopy panels had white creases all over them.(like in the previouse forum)(the rest of the colours where fine and in close to new condition ie, only dark blue was affected)

Now I don't think this is from flapping in the wind as it was uniform all over the canopy (not just at the trailing edge) but more from being stored for such a long time.


So I'm asking if anyone has a kite like this with this condition, is it just visual and the canopy still strong..... Or is it going to tear like tissue paper in a few rides time.

My brand new 2012 switchblades had a similar look on the darker colors, which was the main reason I went for light colored kites. I believe the material is fine and just cosmetic. My kites now into their second summer still look the same as when I first got them and are as strong as ever.

The material on some batches of 2009 and 2010 cabs was coated with a thicker layer of polyurethane/resin, which made it "chalk". This was a cosmetic issue only, the material that did this was actually stronger in our experience. This is due to using kites that had the "issue" in our school and they lasted a full season without any tearing at all and were still flying fine and were sold at the end of the season.

Select to expand quote

Kitepower Australia said...
The material on some batches of 2009 and 2010 cabs was coated with a thicker layer of polyurethane/resin, which made it "chalk". This was a cosmetic issue only, the material that did this was actually stronger in our experience. This is due to using kites that had the "issue" in our school and they lasted a full season without any tearing at all and were still flying fine and were sold at the end of the season.

agree.... ive got the purple switchblade 2010 looks like its from 2004 performs like a 2014 model

That's great. Thanks for your help guys. Yeah I agree with Allano about the material looking like its about 8 years old. Like i said the orange and the white look brand new. Looks really rubbish though. Must have damaged the cabrinha name a bit making kites that look like that..... Thanks Smithy, KP and Allano for the advice!

Cheers