Andrew Regan here from Slingshot Australia, I have important information for some of our valued customers who have recently purchased our new Hybrid kite, the Link.

We have discovered some inconsistencies with the standard bridle which has caused a problem for some Link owners, BTW the majority don’t have a problem and love them. As well as discovering some intermittent length discrepancies in the bridle (factory error), the Link as a new category of kite requires a unique technique for water re-launching, having some similarities with both bow and C kites. So Slingshot have decided to solve both issues at the same time, changing the required re-launch technique to that of a conventional bow…..point the bar and launch!

The new RED bridle addresses the consistency issues but as well the new geometry greatly improves general performance and makes water re-launching a standard bow like procedure. Dave and I have been testing the new RED bridle with great success. The RED bridle is much longer and the bridle support is noticeably more downward instead of being more compact but across the LE. A second saddle bridle and pulley have been added to the rear of the bridle.

The result the canopy is rock solid and stable, de-power range is greater, re-launch is simple, turning is quicker. As well the Link now has more “C” in the canopy and so is more powerful. It sits back further in the wind window when overhead giving a steady positive feel and eliminating any stalling. Excellent upwind performance.

The RED replacement bridles for the Link will be available in bulk in about 2 weeks. We have some test samples available now. All our retail partners are aware that there is an upgrade coming and we, in conjunction with SS int, have been listing anyone with a problem bridle so that we can short track a solution to them. If you are a Link owner who has a problem bridle or you would just like the latest performance upgrade, please contact me or your local Slingshot store.

My apologies to all concerned for any inconvenience.

Regards
Andrew Regan
Slingshot Kiteboarding Australia
(02) 49 477644
0414 659955
caromav@ozemail.com.au

saw these posts on kiteforum

Posted Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:17 pm Post subject

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I have been flying the Links for about 3 months now. I have the 15M rigged 5 line and the 12M, 9M & 7M rigged 4 line.

I lengthened the 5th line about 10 inches and the back lines by 2 inches on the 15M. The 15M Link performs great with these adjustments. Its boosts high, points high, has great range and stability. This was my favorite of the lot until SS came out with a new bridle for the 12M Link.

I've flown the 12M Link with the new bridle twice now in powered conditions. Once in on shore 15 to 25mph and once in straight offshore 10 to 30 mph wave kiting very gusty conditions. Prior to the bridle replacement my main issue with the 4 line 12M Link was that couldn't get really high on my jumps like my Octane or Fuel 2006 kites. However since I made the bridle change the kite is now boosting amazingly. It also points high, turns fast, relaunches easily by just pointing the bar at the kite and can handle gusty conditions easily. The new bridle did increase bar pressure but this is a plus as you can clearly feel where the kite is in the air on jumps without looking at it. My only concern is that the new bridle is significantly longer than the previous one and this may cause it to wrap on the kite more easily in the surf.

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SS Kiter
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Joined: 03 Feb 2005
Posts: 37

Posted Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject

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Kiteosphere,

I got the new bridle too and I agree with all you said. The Link performs so much better with RED CODE BRIDLE that it turned in a completily diferent kite.
Now I can say I´m flying the real LINK.
Had a great session yesterday on 5 to 6´waves. Now I´m stoked with LINK.
All Link owners will be surprised with it´s perfromance on new bridle.

I feel sorry for SS guys to had such a big mistake in such a great kite.

any news on when the bridal is going to be here in australia?

To Slingy

You lose respect each day this goes on.

Don't do a Hellfish!

Put these red thingy's on the next shuttle from Planet SS, give them to customers, kiss their ass, apologise and retain some customers next year.

Al lot of people will still not go near Best after the stinkfish debacle.

have to agree wal269...

part of the reason i decided to go for the slingshot was for the perceived resale value. well,,,that's totally shot to pieces now because of this fiasco.

fortunately i'm very happy with the kite in the 5 line setup but would rather ride it as a simple 4 line rig.

come on SS pull your finger out!!!

I feel for you guys. If this happened with my kites i would be incandescent. The season has well and truly started. I have heard people bag Cabrinha for service but the only problem i have have encountered was a bar coming out 2 months late when the 04 kites came out.

Their solution was to give us a brandnew 03 bar in the interim which we could keep (for free) once the new bars came out 2 months later.

Hire some of those G20 protesters and trash their HQ.

Did not Best come good on the stinkfish,with replacement or money
back ??

I've just bought a Link 12, and I've got the non-red bridle set up.

I've had absolutely no trouble with my kite or their service...

I love my new baby and when the new bridle comes in, It'll be like taking my wife home for the first time...all over again!!

Love ya's

Spoken to Andrew Reagan, and can see he is doing his best to sort things out.
Looking forward to getting the new bridal because everything I hear about them is positive.
Just taking a bit long.

i've been flying the link 9.

Its a pretty good kite.

cant really see what all the crap is about.

I think there are alot of people out there with **** flying skills who blame the kite for there lack of ability.

i've flown and owned peter lynns, flysurfer, flexifoil, slingshot ,cabrihna and north - . and never had a problem with my kite flying skills till now.

sorry for the bitching, but i spent a lot of money on these kites - i dont think its much to expect them to work.
you're welcome to come and give mine a try if you want to see my point.

yeah ok.

Ill give it a spin and show u how to bust on them.

no shackle required.

"I think there are alot of people out there with **** flying skills who blame the kite for there lack of ability."

Don't forget the Link is aimed at learners onwards. How much kiteskills exactly do you think it should take to keep a kite in the air. I just feel sorry for the beginners being turned away from the sport thinking this is just way too hard.

its only bad when frikken windy. eg not beginner territory.

flys very well in the lower end of the wind range. aslong as you dont oversheet (which will be tought in there first lesson) which alot of seasoned kooks never learn.

have you flown any other brands of hybrids/bows carbine?

still waiting.
any updates on where these bridals are?

Guys its Piss poor that Best cops it every time another kite company makes a stuff up. Times have changed and i still stand by this,

IF YOU ARE GOING TO GO AND SPEND GOOD MONEY ON GEAR, THEN TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU GONE AND BOUGHT A CAR WITHOUT TEST DRIVING IT FIRST. SAME THING. THERE IS SOME AMAZING GEAR ON THE MARKET AT THE MOMENT, EVERY ONE WANTS DIFFERENT THINGS OUT OF A KITE SO TRY SOME DIFFERENT TYPES BEFORE YOU COMMITT.

A WORD TO RETAILERS, MAKE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS TO TEST.

The Links are a good kite, IMO suits paticular riders and with the new upgrade hopefully will suit a wider range of riders. I know the boys at Slingshot are doing every thing possible to keep there customers happy, but in reality, magic doesnt happen and products cannot be plucked from no where. So be patient and count yourselfs lucky that you are in a position to even purchase new kites.

I dont see how best cops it here? In my eyes Best reputation has risen remarkably. ie if you dont like the kite you can return it for a full refund - no problem.
When the released a kite without testing it properly, and it screwed up - they offered a full refund, no quibbles.

quote:

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You lose respect each day this goes on.

Don't do a Hellfish!

---

thats all i was refering to.

The hellfish might have been a disaster, but in terms of how best dealt with it (after the fact), their customer service was absolutely brilliant! (I should know - I bought one! )
And I would buy from them again.

beginning to think im a sucker...oh well you live and learn,
and learn again.

quote:

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Originally posted by bigmark100

The hellfish might have been a disaster, but in terms of how best dealt with it (after the fact), their customer service was absolutely brilliant! (I should know - I bought one! )
And I would buy from them again.

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*rant mode*
It looked like customers didn't really get burned by the Hellfish (except where people were made to wait months for a recalled kite) and that is a good thing which I am glad about.

What wasn't as impressive was the other thing that the Hellfish revealed about Best and that is that they were happy to release a kite without actually properly testing it (while still claiming it was "bomber tough" and hardcore tested). Given the potential for injury and death while kiting it is absolutely vital that products be tested thouroughly before being released to the market. I don't know if this is the same as the slingshot problem where is appears to be a manufacturing error?

In my eyes Best lost further credibility when they tried to blame a "rogue seamstress" for the leading edge failures - which were due to material failures not detected due to the improper testing of the kite.

While all this was going on G-ball was running around claiming that they had specially developed a new cuben laminate especially for the kite - something he has now inadvertently admitted was a lie. Further, their claims of weight reductions were false, misleading and never materialised.

So while customers weren't financially burnt, the Best management sure showed what they were made of. Things may have changed now but I'm not happy buying kites from a company that has a record like that. BTW - I'm not suggesting the local reps were in any way associated withe HF debacle - in fact I reckon many would have been embarrassed about the whole thing (though now push the company line that it was a positive thing).

Summary - manufacturers should test their kites thoroughly before release. I hope both companies can improve their design & production so that consumers don't have to be human guinea pigs in a sport that can have very serious consequences.

*rant off*

so ive set the link up in 5 line mode, and it works well.
should keep me happy until the new bridal comes in.
unless the relaunch proves to be a painful exersise.

mark

quote:

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Originally posted by bigmark100

so ive set the link up in 5 line mode, and it works well.
should keep me happy until the new bridal comes in.
unless the relaunch proves to be a painful exersise.

mark

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mark, don't use the 5th line to relaunch the kite and at all times try and keep tension on the lines. avoid rolling the kite no matter how tempting it might seem! if i still have my feet in the straps i use the board as a kind of sea anchor by pushing it out in front of me whilst i relaunch.

when it is LE down in the water let the bar fully depower and just pull in one of the back lines about 0.5-1.0m max. be patient and hold this line in until the kite rolls onto it's wingtip and moves towards the edge of the window, then start to powerup with the bar whilst allowing the back line to slowly feed back out. don't be too hasty. patience and a bit of practice is the key...

good luck!

Hi Andrew,

Saw your comments on the Seabreeze forum and I would value your opinion.

Me and my girlfriend are completely new to Kiteboarding and have only managed to get on the bopard for about 10 min after IKO lessons.

Whilst in Noosa, we decided to purchase our gear and opted for a 2007 Slinshot Link 12m and a liquid force board.

We took it out to Noosaville and the popular kitesurfing training spot and it was a disaster. It would not fly at all! It would only stay up for a few seconds before something unexpected happened. Once it crashed on the water we would need assistance of another 3 people to get it back up and even still it looked like something is not right.

Then again we tried it in Surfers Paradise and again the same thing. We started to doubt our own abilities on flying the kite!

For a third time we tried again in Port Douglas and spent our entire day just trying to get it to fly!. Needless to say this whole experience has dampened our new found enthousiasm of the sport and has knocked the confidence we build during intense hours of (expensive) kiteboarding lessons. So in total we have actually got the kite to fly for about a minute since purchasing it

Did some digging around and found that there had been some problems (we have been trying to fly it as a 5 line all along and it was actually set up as a 5 line from the shop purchased (Kitesurf Australia). The modifications highlighted on the SS website were carried out by ourselves (a big guessing game to a complete amateur on how to make those changes BTW). Since then we have not flown the kite. (we are waiting for it to be shipped from Oz to New Zealand which is where we are now). Would kit fly better now? Would we be able to enjoy it as it was intended??

My concern is that looking at all the hassle we had to go through with this kite and the amount of money spent we would have liked to have a good product. There is also a lot of negative feedback on this kite and I am getting worried we bought a dud.

Ideally we would like from SS to have a look at this and fly it for us since we would not know handling characteristics etc etc. We just want to carry on our learning on this kite and have some fun.

We are in NZ till the 5th Jan 07 then off to Argentina for a month ( it would be nice to kitesurf there)

Any ideas??

Many Thanks and happy Christmas!
Vas

Ive not had a chance to use it enough in 4 line mode, waiting for more wind. But I was impressed with 5 line mode, especially the depower. Gonna see what the jumps are like in 4 line mode, and then decide on 5 or 4 line.
surely dealing with gusts is pushing the bar away - in order to absorb? in which case it must be very similar to CB?

I'm going back to 5th line on my 12 after trying the red bridals. with a few mods the 5th line mode can be much better than stock and I felt that it had a lot more grunt in 5th line mode. I'll probably stick with red bridals on my 7 tho.

after i try back on 5th line today I'll see which is better.

I just go tthe RED bridle on my SS LINK 12m and tried it out yesterday and it performed fantastically, wind was 12 to 18knots on a surfboard and I was loving it.

Red Bridle is great!!