Interesting to read this post in the latest Seabreeze email: Extreme Durability Testing with Cabrinha & Nick Jacobsen

www.seabreeze.com.au/News/Kitesurfing/Extreme-Durability-Testing-with-Cabrinha-Nick-Jacobsen_12693803.aspx

I then went out yesterday afternoon in 16 knots at Pinnas and one of my Switchblade panels ripped from trailing edge to leading edge and then along the leading edge and I didn't even crash it.

Maybe it was the stress of flying it in the 24+ knots the day before!

Hey Cabrinha and Dave Hastilow, forget Nick Jacobsen, if you want your kites tested properly for durability, send them to me!!!

Tears from Le to Te ?? We are led to believe the recent kites are all using double rip stop fabric - that sounds very 'warranty' to me!!

Lambie said..
Tears from Le to Te ?? We are led to believe the recent kites are all using double rip stop fabric - that sounds very 'warranty' to me!!

A: Good luck getting a warrenty out of Best these days.

B: Ripstop does not mean, will not rip.

C: Most brands are on to 4D, double is a bit old now

Lambie said..
Tears from Le to Te ?? We are led to believe the recent kites are all using double rip stop fabric - that sounds very 'warranty' to me!!

2016 kite - any warranty would only be 12 months, but local Cabrinha store in Melville, WA have organised to fix. Going to cost $150... maybe the kite gods are telling me I need a new kite!

Gateman said..
Seen axactly the same thing happen on a 2017 Best TS a few weeks ago. Was flying, gust hit, kite ripped LE to TE and along the LE bladder ..... turns out he noticed a 3mm very small rip the day before and did nothing about it. Also, I noticed the next day during setup he was using his board to secure his larger kite with the fins down..... (fins can get sharp) this probably caused the initial tear. If you' going to put your board on your kite, always face the foot straps down and not the fins.

I have never put my board anywhere near my kite for that exact reason. Only ever used harness / handfuls of sand to secure kite.

kemp90 said..
slinngy still used the T2. they recon its still the best.

I ended up going out on an old (2011) Switchblade - still going strong although not looking its best anymore - they don't build them like they used to!

Adam'KiteRepair said..

Lambie said..
Tears from Le to Te ?? We are led to believe the recent kites are all using double rip stop fabric - that sounds very 'warranty' to me!!

A: Good luck getting a warrenty out of Best these days.

B: Ripstop does not mean, will not rip.

C: Most brands are on to 4D, double is a bit old now

Hey guys,

Just to add something which may be of use ...

A. Best IS offering warranty. We requested a warranty on a set of bladders this week and they are being sent out as we speak. You can still contact Best through their website.

B. Correct Ripstop will still rip

C. There is not a lot of benefit to go to more than 3 x strong lines as the added weight makes the kites a bit more doughy. I think the D2 is still the best when weighing up strength vs weight.

DM

Switch have lifetime warranty ( I recently had an over 12month old kite replaced under warranty)
Not here stirring sh1t, it's just a fact.

Bekit said..

toppleover said..
Switch have lifetime warranty ( I recently had an over 12month old kite replaced under warranty)
Not here stirring sh1t, it's just a fact.

An here are their T&Cs...

Unfortunately no product is indestructible and we must exclude the following:
- Normal wear and tear
- Any rips, punctures, scratches or any other damage caused by foreign objects
- Sun/UV, water, sand and wind affected degradation
- Damage caused by misuse, hard crashes/impacts, abuse, neglect and user error
- Damage caused by assembly or set up error
- Damage caused by anything other than defects in material or workmanship

They basically exclude any damage caused by using the kite.

Yeah unfortunately it doesn't cover everything, just lifetime on manufacturing defects.

I ended up going out on an old (2011) Switchblade - still going strong although not looking its best anymore - they don't build them like they used to!

Very true. Was out on my 2010 10m Switchblade yesterday in 30kts. Canopy has stretched, faded and feels very soft to the touch, but still all in one piece.