Seeking Strut-o-plasty advice

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

my favorite kite needs a little help.
2009 fuel, with main strut seam busting stitches where it gets bent on the beach.
I know, "don't leave it on the beach," and it won't happen.
I try to avoid that but sometimes it's inevitable, and
I bought it 2nd hand anyway... ...not ALL my fault.
Anyway, I think it needs restitching soon, before it pops.

I was wondering if anyone here has added reinforcement, for example by extending the webbing strip a few more inches, etc.
On older kites I have had good results from a running round stitch along stretching strut seams, but looking for any further DIY tips
-on what has given good results with slingshot struts especially.
If you guys have them, thanks in advance.
Had a good session with it yesterday, but don't want to push it too hard...

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Take it to Air Time in Hood River.
They will fix it better then new.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

ha ha, they would.
but that would be a 3000 mile lob, and I might need it this weekend Wink

Might have to do it on my own...

jasonq · Since 12 Jan 2009 247 Posts hood river Stoked

i had damage that looked exactly the same on another brand kite. I took it to airtime, and had them fix it. But it was late on a friday, and i wanted to use it over the weekend. For a temp patch they told me to inflate the kite to about 3/4 pressure, enough to inflate the strut, but not stretch out the seam. Then clean with alcohol, and apply dacron sail tape, go at least 2" or as far beyond the damage along the length of the strut as possible. go as far around the strut as you can, ideally, wrap around it more than once if the strut is not sewn to the canopy there.

i did that, and flew it for the weekend, dropped it off on monday.

For the real repair they gave me two options, both of equal strength. 1) undo the strut and repair the seam from inside like it was originally assembled, re-do the strut, about $50, you'd never know it was repaired. 2) do the repair from the outstide by adding a new line of stitching near the edge, about $10, if you looked you could see the repair. i chose the $10 route. I expect person decent with a sewing maching could do the repair airtime did, just make sure they get the bladder moved out of the way before sewing.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Cool, thanks for the advice!
To see if I get what you're saying, here is a pic of how I think the strut is sewn, and how you describe fixing it (but not showing all the stitches...).
Is this like what you were saying? Kinda? Confused

Think I can do that....