Hi All,

Have you experienced similar like shown on the photos?

I have brought a new Cabrinha Contra 17 kite and after the first use I have noticed that a lot of sand and small stones have stuck behind the canopy where it meats the leading edge. Closer inspection showed that there is a glue tape between the edge and canopy and it has started to separate. The exposed glue is very sticky and it collects the small stones.






I do own 2 other kites made by Ozone and neither of them have this problem. Since this is a new kite which has been only used once I have contracted Cabrinha but they have rejected the claim:

"I have reviewed this with out Kite Designer & Production Manager.
This is the area that the canopy meet the leading edge.
To make sure that the canopy is sewn on the correct place of the leading edge without twisting there is a double-sided tape that is used to keep it in place during the sewing process.
This tape is only critical during the sewing process.
The glue that you are seeing is from this tape. Some times when you pull the leading edge like that you will expose the tape. As the canopy is sewn to the leading edge, there is no risk at all with this tape being exposed.
This will not affect the performance of the kite, it is not a manufacturing or materials defect so we are denying this claim."

The dealer has added:
"I´m sorry, but that is all i can tell you. The technique is is the only how cabrinha, and all other brands as well, way for them to properly connect the fronttube to the sail.
I´m sorry that the quality of cabrinha does not suit your standards of quality. If cabrinha says, that it´ll not affect the performance of the kite, you can believe them.
You can just clean up the area. The glue will wear off and less sand is gonna stick to the area."

Well... I can accept that this is not an issue for the performance but I think it is a manufacturing fault. Very disappointing. When I have bought this kite for a lot of money I was expecting a high quality kite not a cheap "made in china" product. Or do I expect too much? Is Cabrinhas really like this?

Have you guys had similar problem with your kites? How did you clean up the area? I am really worried that the kite material will chafe through because of the small stones. But this glue is super sticky not something easy to clean. Hesitant to use any solvent because afraid that it might attack the material itself.

Cheers
Geza