Make your wing perform as new. Restore canopy tension.

2 years ago
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FranP
FranP
158 posts
158 posts
5 Mar 2024 3:57am
Hi everyone,

I've noticed that modern wings tend to maintain leading edge tension even after frequent use (50-100 times), but they often lose trailing edge tension after 40-50 sessions, impacting performance (pumping, low end and high end stability)....I've been brainstorming some quick repair strategies to refurbish wings and restore their performance.

Here are a few ideas:

a) Create a small canopy fold in the trailing edge (approximately 1-3 cm) parallel to a batten, and then sew it back together.

b) Unsew 1 or 2 panels, add tension by slightly overlapping the panels, and then sew them back together.

c) Add a new batten in the bagged area and shorten the trailing edge by 1-3 cm.

Has anyone here tried any of these methods before? I'd love to hear about your experiences and any other suggestions you might have!
DWF
DWF
723 posts
DWF DWF
723 posts
5 Mar 2024 4:28am
I'm pretty sure you can fold and sew a dart in the fabric.

I recall once trying a prototype kite with this system of canopy tension adjustment for testing. It used a zipper to close up the dart and add tension. This was 20+ years ago.
King Crash
King Crash
NSW
320 posts
NSW, 320 posts
5 Mar 2024 8:13am
A game we've all tried to play. It's not the canopy which is ruined but the frame. Frames go soft, cause the canopy to stretch and bag. You are chasing your tail fixing the effect not the cause.
hilly
hilly
WA
8134 posts
WA, 8134 posts
5 Mar 2024 11:13am
Put them in a tumble dryer
Venomguy
Venomguy
153 posts
153 posts
5 Mar 2024 11:29am
FranP said..
Hi everyone,

I've noticed that modern wings tend to maintain leading edge tension even after frequent use (50-100 times), but they often lose trailing edge tension after 40-50 sessions, impacting performance (pumping, low end and high end stability)....I've been brainstorming some quick repair strategies to refurbish wings and restore their performance.

Here are a few ideas:

a) Create a small canopy fold in the trailing edge (approximately 1-3 cm) parallel to a batten, and then sew it back together.

b) Unsew 1 or 2 panels, add tension by slightly overlapping the panels, and then sew them back together.

c) Add a new batten in the bagged area and shorten the trailing edge by 1-3 cm.

Has anyone here tried any of these methods before? I'd love to hear about your experiences and any other suggestions you might have!


d) put the wing on seabreeze classifieds, there is always some kook who would buy each year ??
Holoholo
Holoholo
258 posts
258 posts
5 Mar 2024 1:58pm
d) put the wing on seabreeze classifieds, there is always some kook who would buy each year ??


Glad to be of service. This total kook bought his whole quiver used. No shame in my game
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