How many North kite valves have you fixed ?

Because it has little to do with the kite he is using, it's because he is in Darwin.
It is a common problem with nearly all valves.

... f # c k i n g hundreds !!!!!

RPM, I think we still buy North because they fly damn good and the f # c k i n g useless valves are a downside that we have to deal with ! We don't like it so hence the post (duh captain oblivious)!!

We were told by North (via the importer) that the 2010 are fixed now, no problems ever again!!!! Well guess what, they did f # c k up again and have been from 1 month old to now. They do send replacement stick on valves and they appear to work well (for now) but thats not the point is it!!! Its a tropical thing but they gotta get there s h ! t togeather one day! And the question now is, will they for the 2011!! Lost water time is a f # c k i n g pain in the c # n t I tell you, worse than sand in ya vagina and people like Eddy and I are fed up!!!

There I am, first day of my Lizard Island trip, and first pump up with 30 knots on my back with kite fever, and damn, a f # c k i n g valve comes off!!! Because of my experience at repairing and replacing the valves, I quickly change it by merly pulling the valve and bladder straight out the hole, wack the new one on and stuff it back in the hole. (We call it the 'bikepath' method, in stead of pulling the whole the bladder out), all with 30 knots blowing around me!!! I was lucky I had a stick on valve too.

Windgenuity, do you have any ideas, or comments??

Unhappy,

Robbie.


ps we've done all the tricks in storage and none of them worked, we could not find a clear solution or plan which was the best like store in air con room, cellar blah blah!!

I too sail 08 rhinos (12m and 9m) and have put hundreds of hours on the 12mtr and have not had one valve let go!
also know of many people who sail 08 and later norths and have never herd of a problem with any of those either.
I had 05 rhinos and had some valve issues with those but was told north fixed the problem many years ago.

U don't mind saying F**K and other fun words do you Puetz..


I too have lived in Darwin and know only too well that local people say F**K and C**T a lot. There seems to be mango madness up that way during the wet.

I hear kitepower is selling a new valve for North kites. They are called poopa valves. $21.95 Go hit em up and tell em you need a new poopa valve.

Just dont say the 'F' or 'C' word when asking them.

The F word, code 3825, and the C bomb, code 2868, are heard often within the walls of KP, although never in relation to a North kite, unless they are being dropped by the owner of the kite.
We have replaced a lot, especially on North Kites, and especially on older then 3 years Slingshot kites, older naish (although we have seen a few octopus legs come off), some early 2006/2007 Ozone kites, almost all Flexifoil kites up to 2008/09 (have not seen any '10's), they have been the most frequent and memorable although there would be several other brands on the valve peeling list, however I reckon the only kites we have not seen with bladder valve issues are Cabs since they went to the "sprint" system.

Some brands were excellent at replacing these failures, some less so. Slingy, Flexi and Ozone were in the excellent category......

I think the annual kite experiment is a joke, and that companies that have valve peeling issues are simply not looking after their customers and changing their bladder manufacturer and method of attachment to the systems that do not peel. There is no excuse for a brand to be releasing kites in 2010 with bladder valves that peel off.

My RIB boat does not fall apart on hot days, and heaps of brands do not have peeling valves, so its really obvious some brands are just plain slack isn't it? This is not a North Australia "heat" problem because we see plenty of failures right here in Sydney. Its a problem because some brands are so focussed on getting next years gear made that they do not pay any attention to the obvious flaws in their current gear and so the problem goes on and on, and it just shouldn't and customers should not be missing valuable kite time of this crap service/quality.
It has zero to do with location, sure it has something to do with heat, but only on brands getting their bladders made by the "inferior factory or method".
If it was heat related then all brands would do it and they dont, anyone saying otherwise is inexperienced or full of it, sorry!!

Personally, I reckon if a valve peels off, its a warranty issue and the owner should get either a new bladder or a new peel and stick valve. They should probably get a something free like clothing to compensate them for having to remove and refit the bladder.

Grrrrr over.

Thanks for that KP and Robbie.

This is not acceptable .

I completely agree that these companies , and one in particular , need to have a good look at themselves .
Having recently joined the kiting community from years of windsurfing and I cannot believe these flimsy expensive bits of equipment and the Company's (in this case North) complete lack of interest in the user's medium to long term use .
And then we have to pay 20 bucks for a valve? Plus the down time .

It should be a real issue for them ,if they had any moral sense in the way they do business and
I don't feel like I am a respected client at the moment .

There is always a way to fix a problem (as you say the technology is there) , but if they don't know because we just accept it as normal , then the sound of deflating kites the beach will continue.

Any other comment ?

... I hope so too

Ive been running an 08 11m waroo for three years, whilst i havent "neglected it" it has spent plenty of time in the boot in summer, in the bag a bit wet and a bit sandy, heaps of use etc and never anything replaced on kite or bar, same with 9m 09...nothing worn, nothing broken, nothing replaced (except pumps but they all sh!t themselves i believe). I'm not pimpin waroo kites, and havent flown many others brands admittedly, but when i pay a good $1200-$1500+ for something i would be pretty pssed off if its grounded because of a faulty cheap flimsy replaceable part which has been "rectified" the last few years in a row.

North kites must be darn good to fly because some of you guys have serious patience and brand loyalty, something which north is taking advantage of maybe??

Sorry but that must only be your experience. I have replaced many valves on all of the above kites except for Eclipse and New as we don't see them here.

I have replaced plenty myself, mostly while i was in Darwin, definately something about the weather. Naish X3(heaps and heaps),X4, North Vegas 06 heaps. none on the 08 rebel...yet...but waiting.
I found the stick on valves fall off about as much or more than the original valves. What i find works really well is Aquaseal with cotal, saves heaps $ on stick on valves and works fine so far one tube with cotal is about $35 delivered.

I've tried a hundred glues (slight exaggeration) only 3-4 give a decent result. Another reasonable one is Vice polyeurathane, but it foams and sets a bit brittle compared to aquaseal which is soft and clear. Tarzan grip, goop, superglue, araldite formulations, various tyre repair kit glues.... all failed.

To the manufacturers; We had various kids blowup water toys sitting out in the sun all year long in Darwin and they never failed. ever! It's not impossible guys, start by studying their construction that valve is NOT going to fall off. Give up that .005% of performance in exchange for 100% customer satisfaction.

I have been riding North kites now for 6 years and have bought a new one each year, a progressively upgrading my 3 kite quiver over 3 years and so have a 14, 12 and 10, this year i have bought a new Rebel 10 (no problems so far!!). I dont know how i have kept buying North, i am a very busy company executive who also owns his own business so time is at an absoloute premium, so when i get to the beach at 4 PM go to blow my kite up and one of the valves has failed (i have fixed more than 100 of these fu*6%ers by now) i honestly want to burn my kite. I have noticed that i normally get the first season with no problems, but by the second season they start to fail badly!

I can honestly say if it happens this year i will never buy another North kite again.

So whoever is the North distributor take note, ive probably spent by now $20K on your kites but my patience is up, lift your game or i will speak with my business and take it elsewhere.

Just got back from work and am pleased with this conversation.

I don't want see anyone compromised financially by this string but there are companies that take a long time to "get it '' . This is obviously one of them .

It would be great if you could continue to add any feedback .

o.k. I like North, you're a 2868... have a nice war

you gonna warrantee that North kite you sold me


p.s. my favourite creative bit was when you said " 3825 me it's valves were gone too"


and Wouldn't you agree North is heavily represented in Darwin Compared to the other listed Brands, i'm looking at you mr hollywood (and i like it)

I always suspected that a certain hairy kiter was sponsored by North and this looks like he may have foulnd a new sponsor...... just jokes we all know jeff is sponsored by puetz.

wow i sound like a complete 2868, better add some smileys to lighten the mood and show my humour

and here's one for North

Oops sorry T-One
I continue:
Airush - nil valves

BrisKites, yes, it's my experience up here since 2004 - I have had Airush Wipika Naish GK Cabrinha and North kites. I don't defend nor am I affiliated with any particular make of kite. I like North kites but not the valve issue.

Look at the variety of responses outide the NT. I'm stating the obvious.

what is the best way to fix these valves so they dont need replacing again, i have just purchased north kites :)