OK, This is the damage, worst nightmare for me.

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

Have you sent out a call to Slinghshot warranty?

Best plead your case either way. Make sure you have proof of purchase and send Kyle Chinn "Overseer" some photos of the damage when starting a warranty case. Should take no longer then 2 days for any answer.

http://www.slingshotsports.com/warranty-request;jsessionid=0a010b441f43ea4ce559a79243ef8dc2db43ee9986b7.e3iKaNePch4Re34Pa38Ta38Oaxj0

Intrepidquest · Since 09 May 2008 31 Posts HoodRiver

Last summer I blew two kites in half by crashes into the water. Both looked just like your kite but much bigger, like a big "L" shape through half the kite. That is an important detail because of how they crashed.

The first was a big air rotation that I neglected to bring my kite back downwind of me. I hit the water, looked up to see my kite flipping through itself straight down wind in the power zone. This resulted in a tomahawking. More importantly a left to right tomahawking. As in left side of kite hit first creating a fulcrum for the right side to hinge on.

The second crash was a front roll kite loop that looped into the water. Same scenario. Left to right crash. This crash was even caught completely on camera. You can see how when the right side finally hits the water that the TE then splits to the LE and then runs from the T4 strut to the center of the kite. (Really cool to watch that happen in the video on slow motion.) Directly related to canopy tension. It's like pulling the wing tips apart till the TE goes.

Anyways I figured that is how your kite might have blown like it did or at least in a similar way.

I hope you get things resolved and quickly. Good luck!

frenchy · Sun Mar 08, 09 6:48 pm

yes, I sent the pics to slingshot. They gave me a number. But they don't work until monday. So I will call them two. If they won't help, then I will look at my other options.

Intrepidquest · Since 09 May 2008 31 Posts HoodRiver

If you tape the under side of your canopy so that the little squares all match up that would save whoever time and you may save so money for that.

Just run the tape parallel with the rip but make sure that it is all lined up as you go.
They will need to cut out an over all square out of the canopy to replace.

Chooch · Sun Mar 08, 09 9:06 pm

Actually Airtime dislikes it when you try to tape the canopy before you bring it in....leave it alone and let them do their thing

frenchy · Sun Mar 08, 09 9:14 pm

I'm not going to mess with it. It is already boxed up and ready to ship. If airtime is going to fix my kite, I hope they take plastic. It's my only option. I rolled it up really nice and boxed it small. I had no intantion to mess with the kite. i already hate my self for what happened. Weather it's something I did or not. It's like buying a brand new corvet, and crashing it the next day. it hurts. chooch Thank you for your help and support. hope to kite with you some day.

Chooch · Sun Mar 08, 09 9:23 pm

No problem Frenchy.....see ya up in the gorge or out on the coast Thumb's Up

Bettyboarder · Mon Mar 09, 09 6:47 am

It's a learning experiance...we have all been there. Airtime will do a great job. This is just one of the many cost of kiting...sound like you might need to start a kiteboarding "savings account" for the future.

wylieflyote · Mon Mar 09, 09 8:00 am

Thread HiJack:
Who here can top my highest kite repair ticket?... $360, and when I got it back I had moved on to better kites. Used it 2 more times and then ripped the LE so I tossed it in the trash can at the Sandspit. Bar was crap, tossed it too in anger. 2006 Ozone Instinct 13M. Turned like a tank.
Damn, this sport can sure cut into my retirement plan.
Kip Oh.Gee.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Hey,

Sucks about your kite, but good learning exp - $150 or warranty.

You must have been LIT on that 15m - I was on my 9m all day!

frenchy · Mon Mar 09, 09 8:31 am

You weight a lot less than I do. I weight at 260 lbs. And I'm over 6 ft. tall. I'm a big guy. A 9 wouldn't get me anywhere. Unless the wind is 30 ks.

JMatic · Since 12 Aug 2008 252 Posts Boise, In Dat Ho Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Mar 09, 09 9:28 am

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

frenchy · Mon Mar 09, 09 11:41 am

Well. Slingshot is awsome. THEY ARE THE BEST. They are going to fix my kite for free. It's Christmas all over again. THESE GUYS ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD. ALL i CAN SAY IS SLINGSHOT ALL THE WAY. For those of you who don't know what to buy. SLINGSHOT IS MY RECOMANDATION. They stand behind there products. Now I can save up to buy my wife one. UhHoo!

Sorry just happy.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Awesome!