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Topic: Kite problems |
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Rob_Heath |
Posted: 14-Sep-05 11:02 |
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Hi Folks,
We have been having a bit of bother recently getting the kite back into the sock at the drop. It seems as though the first patch is jamming on the throat of the chute. We have used a 'bobble' and stopper knot to prevent the two pathes coming through together ( a hang over from our Topaz Race X ) but is this correct? having played with the kite and a bit of string at home, it looks as though the two patches coming through together shouldn't be a problem. I have just received a new halyard from Wet & Windy ( brilliant service again ! ) as the old one was rough, and will be stripping the old one out at the weekend, and running the new one outside the mast ( per recent post )- is there anything else we should be doing to help matters. The kite is a bit old and patched, but still seems to fill pretty well with a good shape, however, it does seem to saturate with water - should we be looking at treating it with a waterproofer.
Any thoughts appreciated as ever
Cheers
Rob ISO806 |
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Bob Ladell |
Posted: 14-Sep-05 18:05 |
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Ah - my speciality - water proofing kites 
Pete - we need to get this one in the ISO Help Guides section - must the 5th time I've written this up.
Best solution I've found is Teknik Nikwax - available form Millets for about £7 / spray bottle.
Dry your kite for a couple of days having washed off whatever pond it is you sail on - especially if it's that salty one !
On the "outside" - side the halyard runs down from the upper patch - spray on the Nikwax from the patch downwards and rub it in using a paint brush or kitchen cloth. Make sure the kite cloth gets thoroughly wetted.
Turn over and do the same thing on at least the bottom third where the kite runs into the chute.
Leave to dry for at least 3 to 4 days before use. This is a must or it will just rub off. Chuck the car out of the garage to do it.
This waterproofs and lubes an old kite for going on 3 months before you need to do it again. Next time around it will last longer, 6+ months.
Fabsil is ok for waterproofing - but doesn't have the wax lube.
The other bit is to make sure you have about 18" gap between the patches during downhaul. Up you how you achieve it - long loop at the upper patch or add in 18" of rope and leave it tied on. Just make sure you use a large plastic ball to stop the knot getting stuck in the lower patch hole - kind of slows you down .....
Bob |
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Rob_Heath |
Posted: 14-Sep-05 18:14 |
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Dear Bob,
Many thanks for the responce - gives us somehing to work with
Cheers
Rob |
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Ben Twist |
Posted: 15-Sep-05 13:51 |
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Rob
Spray pro lube in and around the chute. This overcame my problem.
Ben |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 15-Sep-05 13:59 |
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Have a look in the ISO Help Guides section. Might be something there that has been overlooked. |
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