just got the sensei 3 with control bar yesterday, 3m.. and took it for a spin today at the beach. the thing lifted off and I am completely new to it...so the lead end crashed. it went up again, and I was getting the hang of it but it all happened so fast..and it crashed again, this time I heard a loud pop



upon inspection, don't know the terms, but the seam that holds each pocket together busted inside. some are still intact but 60% of it came apart. Not sure if every single channel is supposed to be seemed up. what's a repair like this going to cost me? luckily for me I live right by the pro kite surf shop in corpus but my work schedule has me busy from 7-6pm everyday.

That's called Blowing a cell. It's not a big deal to get it repaired but it won't be really cheap. I send my kites to fixmykite.com in Chorpus Christi TX. They will do such a good job, you will have to search for the repair. Others do great work as well.

Fixmykite.com is excellent! +1 for what bob said

ya bob, after searching it up that's exactly what happened. geez im an idiot...lesson learned...let go of the kite!




fortunately I live about 2 miles from the fixmykites headquarters in cc. so I'm gonna have to figure out a way with my work schedule to sneak it by and get a quote. crossing my fingers for a $50 repair..

also, are there any youtube videos or some instructional site that shows diy repairs? just in case it cost as much to buy a new one than to fix it. i tried putting it power kite cell repair and not getting no hits.



thanks

DIY repairs... firstly you will need a sewing machine and be competent with sewing, blown cells usually require some dis-assembly of the kite to get to the damage. Nothing is un-fixable but will need patience and to work methodically. I fixed a bullet blown cell and had to pick open the trailing edge to gain access to the cell to repair it.
Repairs are all very different so I doubt you'll find a "how-to-do-it" video. There are plenty of kite building sites around where you can get get an idea of the techniques used.

Otherwise go for a recommended kite repairer. I suppose that's the draw back with a two line kite, no brakes!! Sounds like you may have been flying over powered, try flying in lighter winds till you really get the hang of it.

Why don't you bring the kite by Rockport beach this weekend? I can take a look at it and help you decide if you can repair it or not. The good thing is you live next door to the FixMyKite guys. I will be in Rockport all weekend starting tomorrow. I will have my 3m Beamer kite you can play with also. There's plenty of us there that can teach you to fly also. There's a grass field just right in front of the beach park that you can practice in.

FWIW: The Sensei Trainer is actually designed by Jeff at www.ProKiteSurf.com / www.FixMyKite.com, so he knows it intimately.



As bigE said, damage to kites will vary depending on location and extent, so there's not going to be a step by step video. However, this should give you some idea what's involved.



If you fill out a repair ticket either in person, or online, you can get a price estimate before committing to it. If you fill out the ticket online, you can include pictures of the damage for a more accurate estimate.

The last video is a bit long, but definitely worth a watch if you can manage it.

ATB,
Sam

While this doesn't sound like a warranty issue it wouldn't hurt to contact Jeff ? They just MAAAY feel generous and swap it out ?

If there is any way you can catch up with Van in Rockport you should try and do it ! He will show you the ropes and have you feeling much more confident in a short time. The kind of Skooling that folks entering water pay hundreds for! NOT that he can replace lessons completely but he will set you up with the basics and hopefully help avoid any more blow outs !

Just a general FYI, Van is a pretty awesome guy,.... So if you can meet him @ the beach,... Go for it!!!

Yeah, Van's a hero on here. He fixed a strap for me on my first depower kite just because he's a nice guy. Also, I wouldn't worry too much about blowing a cell. I'm AMAZED I haven't done it on some of my smaller kites. If it's too much to fix, maybe that's a good excuse to get ANOTHER kite

Just remember to practice in reasonable winds before taking it out in the fast stuff

Quote: Originally posted by van

Why don't you bring the kite by Rockport beach this weekend? I can take a look at it and help you decide if you can repair it or not. The good thing is you live next door to the FixMyKite guys. I will be in Rockport all weekend starting tomorrow. I will have my 3m Beamer kite you can play with also. There's plenty of us there that can teach you to fly also. There's a grass field just right in front of the beach park that you can practice in.

Hey, sorry for the late reply. If you're flying saturday evening or anytime sunday I would love to come check it out. Just a FYI, Pro kite surf is holding a demo today in Portland at the end of wildcat drive. BBQ, drinks, and kite galore....

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

While this doesn't sound like a warranty issue it wouldn't hurt to contact Jeff ? They just MAAAY feel generous and swap it out ? If there is any way you can catch up with Van in Rockport you should try and do it ! He will show you the ropes and have you feeling much more confident in a short time. The kind of Skooling that folks entering water pay hundreds for! NOT that he can replace lessons completely but he will set you up with the basics and hopefully help avoid any more blow outs !

The owner requested my kite to be brought in when I had my brother pick up some repair tape. I brought it in the next morning but unfortunately he was busy all day contacting vendors for todays demo. So I'll know what happens monday. What they are saying while busting baffles/cells can happen, busting 6 at once is rare. so he's gonna check it out and MAYYYYBE hook it up.

Um... I didn't even think that kite HAD 6 cells. Wow. That's impressive. So you didn't really blow out "a cell." You blew out "a kite."

Did you go to the kite demo? I was there for a couple hour. We then headed back to rockport and kited for a few hours until about 8pm. I can meet up with you on sunday also. Call me, phone number is in my signature.

Did you go to the kite demo? I was there for a couple hour. We then headed back to rockport and kited for a few hours until about 8pm. I can meet up with you on sunday also. Call me, phone number is in my signature.