It's important to dry the inside of your foil kite when it gets wet. Here's what I've landed on after using a few different methods. Kite: Ozone Hyperlink V2 13 m2
I have been using a 10$ table fan for years - I simply direct it to the central air intake and let time do its job. Ideally, the kite is on its extrados and you can fully extend it; for a 12 or 15 m kite, usually 8H are sufficient to get it all dry in / out; the Velcro vents must be opened to allow air to circulate, and you must make sure the wing tip water escapes are not closed. To take your kite out of the water, what works well is to start with the leading edge and progressively send the water to the trailing edge where it can escape from the air vent and wing tips; of course, if there are rocks where you take the kite out of the water, you may want help to prevent the fabric from scraping on the hard edges of the rocks. If the kite is full of water, it becomes very heavy and you do not want to lift it without support - otherwise the fabric and stitches may stretch.
I use an electric leaf blower runing lowest possible, worked good on 13/18m sonic3. If it’s warm enough it will dry out in 30 min. Blowing air in the center inlet, keeping outlet closed.
I think it depends on the kite material. The more water tight it is the harder it is for the moisture to escape. That's why I like to circulate air through and not just inflate it. Plus the sun is a factor that makes the kite's life shorter. But there are lots of ways to do this. Thanks for the feedback.
@@snowandfoilkiting8637 you can leave the leaf blower on in the kite for 5mn every 10mn, it will dry pretty fast. but you system is nice for indoor use. tks
I use a cheap small makita battery blower too..... sometimes in the spare room, sometimes block the on switch at low setting for circulation.... leaving kites in sun yep probably not best but it does a nice job.. perhaps in shade is a nice compromise.. i like the leaf blower because its cordless and can do other things...
Thanks for the tips! Could you perhaps do a video on how to properly handle your foil kite while it's full of water (self rescue) and you are trying to swim to the beach - or - how to prevent water getting inside at all while self rescuing? (Or just maybe write some ideas, suggestions and tips here in comments :) l
Yes that’s a good topic due to I have had my foil fill up and very hard to deal with as you don’t want to pull it to hard due to I could damage the inside. My foil got so full and when i got to shore it was hitting the bottom in 2 feet of water and tore a large hole one the rocks with the waves pounding it. It’s getting fixed as we speak. I look forward to new ideas on how to deal with this as I love how they fly and don’t really want to go back to inflatable kites.
One stupid question: Why it is important to dry it? I was able to relaunch the hyperlink at the beach when it was completely wet. Then I started riding again and it didn´t feel different? But I am a beginner at foilkites, so maybe it tends to fall off the sky more if it´s wet? Thanks!
Hi. The drying is for the longevity of the kite. It's not good for the material to be stored wet. So it really isn't about the flying, just taking care of it.
I have been using a 10$ table fan for years - I simply direct it to the central air intake and let time do its job. Ideally, the kite is on its extrados and you can fully extend it; for a 12 or 15 m kite, usually 8H are sufficient to get it all dry in / out; the Velcro vents must be opened to allow air to circulate, and you must make sure the wing tip water escapes are not closed.
To take your kite out of the water, what works well is to start with the leading edge and progressively send the water to the trailing edge where it can escape from the air vent and wing tips; of course, if there are rocks where you take the kite out of the water, you may want help to prevent the fabric from scraping on the hard edges of the rocks. If the kite is full of water, it becomes very heavy and you do not want to lift it without support - otherwise the fabric and stitches may stretch.
I use an electric leaf blower runing lowest possible, worked good on 13/18m sonic3. If it’s warm enough it will dry out in 30 min.
Blowing air in the center inlet, keeping outlet closed.
I use a leaf blower in the lawn….great video.
Thanks. What ever works right?
I use a battery powered leaf blower. Very high volume, it will inflate the kite in 1mn. Leave on the grass in the sun and dries pretty fast.
I think it depends on the kite material. The more water tight it is the harder it is for the moisture to escape. That's why I like to circulate air through and not just inflate it. Plus the sun is a factor that makes the kite's life shorter. But there are lots of ways to do this. Thanks for the feedback.
@@snowandfoilkiting8637 you can leave the leaf blower on in the kite for 5mn every 10mn, it will dry pretty fast. but you system is nice for indoor use. tks
I use a cheap small makita battery blower too..... sometimes in the spare room, sometimes block the on switch at low setting for circulation.... leaving kites in sun yep probably not best but it does a nice job.. perhaps in shade is a nice compromise.. i like the leaf blower because its cordless and can do other things...
Thanks for the tips!
Could you perhaps do a video on how to properly handle your foil kite while it's full of water (self rescue) and you are trying to swim to the beach - or - how to prevent water getting inside at all while self rescuing?
(Or just maybe write some ideas, suggestions and tips here in comments :) l
Thanks for the reply. I'll make a short video about that as soon as I can and let you know when I post it.
Yes that’s a good topic due to I have had my foil fill up and very hard to deal with as you don’t want to pull it to hard due to I could damage the inside. My foil got so full and when i got to shore it was hitting the bottom in 2 feet of water and tore a large hole one the rocks with the waves pounding it. It’s getting fixed as we speak.
I look forward to new ideas on how to deal with this as I love how they fly and don’t really want to go back to inflatable kites.
One stupid question: Why it is important to dry it? I was able to relaunch the hyperlink at the beach when it was completely wet. Then I started riding again and it didn´t feel different? But I am a beginner at foilkites, so maybe it tends to fall off the sky more if it´s wet? Thanks!
Hi. The drying is for the longevity of the kite. It's not good for the material to be stored wet. So it really isn't about the flying, just taking care of it.
Is the 4 inch fan you are using ? Great idea hats off to you.
Thanks and yes it's the 4 inch model.