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joekite
Since 21 Jul 2016
28 Posts
Portland, OR
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 Thu Oct 20, 22 1:11 pm Kite storage tips |
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Any tips for how best to store gear for the winter if you aren’t kiting again until June?
All the air out of the kites, wrap lines not too tight, hang up wetsuit on a hanger, leave it all in a nice dry closet? Maybe a nice air tight bin would be good for the kites?
Any tips anyone has for prolonging gear life during season or when stored would be greatly appreciated, always trying to get better at that. Did I hear you aren’t supposed to keep gear drying in the garage with cars because the dust or something is bad for it?
Thank you! |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1365 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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| Thu Oct 20, 22 2:55 pm |
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Move south.  |
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McLovin
Since 11 Sep 2017
291 Posts
Corbett
Obsessed
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| Thu Oct 20, 22 7:12 pm gear storage |
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Hey Joe!
Great question! You may get some varied opinions on this topic but by far the best plan is to rinse them in spring water on a windless day with temps 62-72 degrees, air dry for at least 4 hours and then wrap in some Egyptian linen sheets at least 800 thread count and store in a cedar chest with a grain of SALT.
This will keep them warm and mouse free over those cold winter months while the rest of us will be using our kites to kite...
Come summer you will be all good to GO 
Mc
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42, the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything  |
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Wind Slither
Since 04 Mar 2005
2624 Posts
The 503
METAL
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| Fri Oct 21, 22 4:10 am |
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No snowkiting? No southerly coastal sessions? 
My kites generally stay in the skybox unless I need to stuff all the skis in there.
Do not leave wetsuits on hangers for extended or it can waste the shoulders. |
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bigjohn
Since 13 Mar 2012
664 Posts
Addicted
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| Fri Oct 21, 22 7:00 am Re: Kite storage tips |
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| joekite wrote: | Any tips for how best to store gear for the winter if you aren’t kiting again until June?
All the air out of the kites, wrap lines not too tight, hang up wetsuit on a hanger, leave it all in a nice dry closet? Maybe a nice air tight bin would be good for the kites?
Any tips anyone has for prolonging gear life during season or when stored would be greatly appreciated, always trying to get better at that. Did I hear you aren’t supposed to keep gear drying in the garage with cars because the dust or something is bad for it?
Thank you! |
I think the same rules apply for daily use kite care, but with more emphasis on attention to detail when storing for extended periods.
1) No Moisture
2) No Salt
3) Rolls, not folds
4) Store in cool location
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Kiting starts at 40MPH |
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Windian
Since 28 Apr 2008
902 Posts
Newport, OR
NEWPORT OG
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| Fri Oct 21, 22 1:00 pm |
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What has been posted so far for kite storage is all correct.
Keep clean and dried kites in a cool and dry place with no tight folds.
But, another point that should be addressed even for short term storage is to leave inflation and deflation valves in the open position. This is important for dump valves so the female portion does not get stretched out. Also seals for inflation valves don't get permanently deformed when in the open position. Relax all manifold clips so the tube isn't pinched to reduce the chance of stress cracks.
I kite in a very sandy place with fine grains so I open all valves after deflating a kite, but then barely screw on the caps and barely insert deflation plugs to keep sand from migrating into the valve and bladder. |
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joekite
Since 21 Jul 2016
28 Posts
Portland, OR
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| Sun Oct 23, 22 7:01 pm |
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| Thank you for the tips! |
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Wind Slither
Since 04 Mar 2005
2624 Posts
The 503
METAL
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| Mon Oct 24, 22 7:19 am |
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| I know salt is bad for metal but what does it do to kites? |
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knotwindy
Since 25 Sep 2011
619 Posts
Addicted
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| Mon Oct 24, 22 7:52 am |
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Depends on what setting you use if you try and iron the wrinkles out.
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curiously observing blurry patterns while slightly distracted |
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bigjohn
Since 13 Mar 2012
664 Posts
Addicted
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| Mon Oct 24, 22 7:58 am |
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| Wind Slither wrote: | | I know salt is bad for metal but what does it do to kites? |
More about kitebars than kites.
Ropes/lines with action wear faster. Depower rope on kitebar really shows the affects of wear after just a few sessions. Pigtails also show more wear over time.
I will admit, I rinse my bar after a salt water session. I don't bother with my kite. Pigtails are cheap to replace and I don't kite enough in salt water to bother with it.
But then again, I also been known to leave my kites out in the heat and have had to replace valves. So, perhaps the old saying... Do as I say, not as I do applys
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Kiting starts at 40MPH |
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Nak
Since 19 May 2005
4312 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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| Mon Oct 24, 22 11:54 am |
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When I kept kites in my car long term in Hawaii, and might be gone for many months at a time, I always ensured my kites got a good soaking in the ocean--and I never rinsed them. Sometimes I had no choice but to leave a kite not completely dry. If it had been pre-soaked in the ocean at some point then there would be no issues when I got back. If the kite had the pre-salting rinsed off in a rain shower, and ANY moisture was left on the kite, then the kite would have mildew wherever it had been moist.
If at all possible, absolutely required if you are a fresh water kiter, dry your kites off COMPLETELY before winter storage. As in leave them unrolled inside with a fan on them for at least a day. BONE dry. Then fold them loosely with all valves open. |
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