G'day,
Beginner wing foiler here, picked up a used 5m Matador LT & my first time on the water the handles tore the center strut open in two places. Back of the center handle & front of the first. Was out in over powered wind for a 5m as I'm 90kgs on a semi sinker board but didn't even get up. Spent an hour trying to figure the stinkbug start out while getting blown downwind then idling in seated, walk of shame then repeat.
Couldn't find any posts of this happening to others so it's got to be something I've done wrong but what exactly? Overinflated? LE would kink slightly while practicing handling it on the beach so thought I hadn't put enough in. Only noticed the tears while packing up, bladder didn't balloon out. Could the previous owner have left it rolled up wet in their boot for week or something? Would that even affect it?
Doesn't seem any point in having it repaired. If this happened with such little use I can't see it lasting once I finally get up & start pumping it. Dacron looks, feels in decent condition better than my kites. No fraying where the webbing is sewn to. Any insights? Just really gutted.
Thanks.
Hey Lucien,
Best to have a chat with me, I've DM you for contact.
Always best to contact your local dealer of rep as a first point of call IMHO.
Look forward to chatting soon,
Ride safe,
JB
Notice how it's torn away right at the stitch beneath the webbing so any weakening along that area wouldn't be immediately noticeable. I pushed up the webbing edge of the other handles & it looks fine but who knows.
So no else had this happen? Promo video has guys boosting on em so it seems like the handle area should be really reinforced. If it was a factory defect how would it last until now unless the previous owner was a little dude moving the lawn in 12 knots. I mean, tearing open in 2 spots with such little use...?
Not after a warranty claim (not entitled to one) just advice on whether it's worth repairing which is a few hundred at least or if I've just got a dud & accept the loss.
That sucks!! I haven't got any advice nor experienced anything similar but would be gutted if it happened to me! Such expensive pieces of gear. They are really awful value, especially when you consider many people saying they last only a season or two. It's almost enough to price one out of the sport and would well and truly prevent many others from ever giving it a crack. Hope you have better luck in future.
FWIW, I'm sort of looking to buy a wing atm and always look for best value (ie, cost/reliability/performance). Switch wings have free shipping (from US) atm. I feel like they've absorbed some of that shipping cost into their wing price - can't quite remember what the price was - but if you are looking, they or Gong seem the best value. Switch Vision (the more expensive model) will be delivered new (including Aus) for roughly $760 with this free shipping offer (good value in the world of wings, I guess). I'm actually on this site bc I came to try and find reviews of Switch wings as they're not easy to find. The one thread speaks highly of them :) The only thing making me hesitate is that I wouldn't mind trying a boom - I'm a beginner and feel/hear it will help me improve more quickly.
I've repaired a few wings where this sort of thing has happened. From memory there were a couple of naish wings in there but that said I've seen it happen to/repaired numerous different brands.
There are various reasons why it would have happened. 90 kegs overpowered on an older (?) wing but also the edge from the handle webbing against the dacron of the strut certainly wouldn't help (see photo 1).
Ultimately 2nd hand wings are a risk and kites/sails I believe they have a very limited lifespan with the constant pumping and salt water exposure.
Hit me up if you want it sorted.
Ry
The Sail Doctor
Select to expand quotesmitts said..
That sucks!! I haven't got any advice nor experienced anything similar but would be gutted if it happened to me! Such expensive pieces of gear. They are really awful value, especially when you consider many people saying they last only a season or two. It's almost enough to price one out of the sport and would well and truly prevent many others from ever giving it a crack. Hope you have better luck in future.
FWIW, I'm sort of looking to buy a wing atm and always look for best value (ie, cost/reliability/performance). Switch wings have free shipping (from US) atm. I feel like they've absorbed some of that shipping cost into their wing price - can't quite remember what the price was - but if you are looking, they or Gong seem the best value. Switch Vision (the more expensive model) will be delivered new (including Aus) for roughly $760 with this free shipping offer (good value in the world of wings, I guess). I'm actually on this site bc I came to try and find reviews of Switch wings as they're not easy to find. The one thread speaks highly of them :) The only thing making me hesitate is that I wouldn't mind trying a boom - I'm a beginner and feel/hear it will help me improve more quickly.
I recently got a 6 m switch drift (cheaper one) as I didn't want to spend big dollars on a light wind back up wing. So far been very impressed. Light in the hands, good handles, good power that is comparable to others on the water but doesn't over power too quickly.
Very happy with it. My other wing is 4.4 vayu wing with boom, and hoenstly i think i prefer the handles when its lighter winds. Actually found it helped me lose some of my windsurf habits compared to the boom wing.Considering ordering a small one for the other end of my quiver.
I've had a couple of Naish wings, including LT and seem as well made as any other. Unlike windsurfing and kitesurfing wings don't have masts, battens and bridles to spread loads. When loaded in gusts, powering upwind, or tugged when water hits tips (like when I try learn stink bug) I think damage is done, just let go.
