Cabrinha Switchblade 7M

[dwaynej]

I need some help.

I'm a big guy at 220lbs with all my gear and I have been very happy with my 2014 12M/9M Cabrinha Switchblades. I have a 14M Switchblade that I am in the process of selling since I feel its a big guys 12M and its not a "light wind" kite.

I had a slow leak in my 9M leading edge and I first noticed the leak by how the edge of the leading edge would fold when under power...

So here's the problem -

Nuking day and I pull out my brand new unused 7M Switchblade. Pump it up to pressure and attempting waterstarts on my foil and I am folding both tips of my leading edge just as if its not pumped up enough.

Since I am pulling the kite out of the sky, what am I doing wrong? Is the 7M a small persons 9M-12M??

[jjm]

Did you confirm the leak in the 9m or just suspect it has a leak?

Have you checked if your bar is in tune?

[dwaynej]

Yep - Leak in the 9m. 12 and 9 are flying fine. Multiple bars and no issues.

Seems like me and the foil are too much for the kite.

[sflinux]

Just brainstorming here...
1) The bar is oversheeted, or the pigtails on the kite are wrong
2) The kite needs to be inflated harder
3) you have a leak in the kite (pump it up and see if it hold air overnight)
4) kite could have come with the wrong bridle

I would move the rear line pigtail attachment to the one further away from the tailing edge.
If the kite is oversheeted, the load could be too much for the tailing edge. When diving the kite, resist the urge to sheet in. I had a 6M (not a Cabrinha) that folded on a dive, where the 8M did not. I ended up switching brands for the smaller kite.
I know you feel like the kite is pumped up enough, but I would give it another 5-10 pumps past where you think you should stop. On my 4M (I'm 200#), I keep pumping until it feels like the pump is about to break (18 psi), else the kite deforms badly.

[mighty]

Check the sprint tubing and collars to ensure the leaks are not coming from loose connections - I had an issue on my 9M drifter with loose collars and suspect loose collars on my 7M (a wave at Ocean beach pulled my tubing loose, and after that I checked the other connections).

[dwaynej]

Brand new kite -

Great ideas - I moved the rear line attachment to the front position when I was packing the kite up.

Definitely was not leaking - Easy way to validate that is to listen for any air moving from struts to main bladder by opening the strut valves.

I think we are all on the same page.... I will review the bridle configuration to make sure its the right bridle for the kite...

If I am going to get a more "robust" 7M - Any thoughts? I was thinking of the Slingshot RPM or Rally... Seems the new bridle system on the RPM is working well??

[Xor]

Check line length on a bar first.
https://youtu.be/WUFX3A6mR1U

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[dwaynej]

Thanks! I have a bunch of bars and the power pole across the road has been used extensively for bar tuning ;)

[fiddyfiddy]

Switchblades have above average bar pressure so you're probably used to leaning back and pulling hard. Don't pull so hard on your 7m or like someone suggested increase the psi. In 7m size I've tried Convert, Crossbow, Nomad, and Switchblade. The only one that never stalled on me was the Crossbow.

[dwaynej]

9M and 12M Switchblades have been working well for me. Somewhat surprised with the 7M and now I am looking to update my quiver.

OR Storm Kite looks like a great 5M but torn on what the 7M should be. Slingshot RPM's?? I want something that can handle gusty 25kts+ It seems the shape of the RPM would limit edge tucks?

Now foiling 100% so not necessarily looking for "big air" kites... A little drift and big depower would be cool.