Horizon sails in Sandringham are the go,
ensure kite is clean of sand and is dry.
cheap and a 24hr turn around.

2-3 cm tear? In the canopy? Tape it with spinnaker repair tape. Clean the fabric well. A little alcohol on a cotton swap is fine (vodka and dunny paper works). Tape on both sides. Slightly smaller patch on one side so the edges don't line up and make a hard edge. Round the corners so they don't peel.

Normally nobody would go to a sail maker with a 2-3cm canopy tear. You usually go to a sail maker because there is structural damage (to seams or to the leading edge or strut fabric), or because there is major cosmetic damage (full panel blow out).

A 2-3cm tear in the canopy is normal wear and tear (especially for a newbie). Properly applied sail repair tape is stronger than a sewn patch (no stitch holes) and you can do it yourself straight away. If you bought your kite from a shop then ask them to help you do it. It literally takes seconds to do.

Gorgo said..

Normally nobody would go to a sail maker with a 2-3cm canopy tear. You usually go to a sail maker because there is structural damage (to seams or to the leading edge or strut fabric), or because there is major cosmetic damage (full panel blow out).

A 2-3cm tear in the canopy is normal wear and tear (especially for a newbie). Properly applied sail repair tape is stronger than a sewn patch (no stitch holes) and you can do it yourself straight away. If you bought your kite from a shop then ask them to help you do it. It literally takes seconds to do.

DANEgerous said..

I'd go with what Gorgo said for a tear of that size. You can buy the tape from Anchor Marine on beach road. Otherwise stick with Irwin, I've had a poor experience with Horizon and won't be going back there.

Yeah I spoke to the person at Irwin he said he would just stick something over it and stitch it up, It is a small hole near the leading edge and I found a video on youtube looks simple enough. I think I did it last night when I was carrying it to the grass at Brighton (no idea how). It was on my LW kite and the winds are looking good on the weekend so I should be fine on my 10m. Thanks for the info.

Brohan said..

Thanks for the info will check them out.

24hr turn around??? You must have got him on a good day.
Twice I have had work done there and it's taken 2 weeks both times. For a very simple job.

Irwin sails is usually a three day turn around. I have used him many times, great work every time.

Brohan said..

Lebowski said..

Irwin sails is usually a three day turn around. I have used him many times, great work every time.

Kites fixed, he put two sticky strips on either side and stitched it up took 5 mins if that and only cost $20!

I was going to suggest you could do that yourself. It's not that hard. I did it for a tear all the way from edge to leading edge and made sure I stitched it tight. Keeping the spaces between stitches no more than 5 to 8mm is good too and in a zig-zag pattern. Never had a problem since. You just need the right thread, needle and patches. All can be sourced from a sail shop.

Stitching a smallish patch on the canopy is unnecessary. At worst the patch would peel and get a bit of sand stuck to it. You can just peel it off and put on another patch.

More likely the patch will just stay there for years. Sewing weakens the fabric by putting holes in it.