draining leading edge

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

First I would like to thank jim ,windwing bob, and the unkown person who kept an eye on me and helped drag my kite to the washington side.

One of the hoses for the one pump came off, on the leading edge side, clip lost, and kite filled with water.

Have the kite pumped up to get water to low point any other ideas to get the water out?

Also, on a safety note, I was wearing a shorty(3/2) and a thin 3/4 sleeve(2mil), instead of the nice and warm 4/3. By the time I got to shore I was very cold, fingers were numb and exhausted.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Dude I had that happen in the middle of the river in Stevenson a couple weeks ago. I first pumped up the kite like you said with the dump valve low, then opened it up. After that I opened up all the dump valves and put a shop vac on one, seems to of worked pretty well. Finally I let my kite sit out in the sun for two days all laid out with the vavles open.

Anyone else have other tactics?

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

"two days in the sun"

That's what I was afraid of, poop.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

Air flow will carry the moisture out faster.

Here's an idea:

Remove all the hoses to the struts and
then rig up one of those cheap coleman
pumps to blow air into the dump valve
letting it flow out through all the nipples.

Let it run like that while sitting in the sun
for an hour or so.

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

The one strut filled also.

That sounds fine for th eleading edge, what about the strut?

TravisBickleRex · Since 30 Jun 2005 332 Posts Taxi Driver

Strut?...Given that it's audio autrocity week here at nwkite.com...Here's what I'd recommend:

Words and music by bob seger

Her Strut:

She's totally committed
To major independence
But she's a lady through and through
She gives them quite a battle
All that they can handle
She'll bruise some
She'll hurt some too
But oh they love to watch her strut
Oh they do respect her but
They love to watch her strut

Sometimes they'll want to leave her
Just give up and leave her
But they would never play that scene
In spite of all her talking
Once she starts in walking
The lady will be all they ever dreamed
Oh they'll love to watch her strut
Oh they'll kill to make the cut
They love to watch her strut

Yeah love to watch her strut
Watch her strut

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

Blow it up with cool dry air. let it
get warm in the sun so the water
inside turns to vapor. Let the air out.
Repeat that 10 or so times.

Sticking a rolled up paper towel
in the valve with the remainder fanned
out on the outside might help wick
the moisture out over night. Having
airflow over the fanned out portion
of the paper towel on the outside
will speed the process. Just don't let
the paper towel tear off inside your
bladder.

Nak · Sun Jun 03, 07 8:44 am

Mark · Sun Jun 03, 07 8:44 am **Adding to the music mayhem**

Kiss:

I know a thing or two about her
I know she'll only make you cry
She'll let you walk the street beside her
But when she wants she'll pass you by

Everybody says she's lookin' good
And the lady knows it's understood
Strutter

She wears her satins like a lady
She gets her way just like a child
You take her home and she says "Maybe, baby"
She takes you down and drives you wild

Everybody says she's lookin' good
And the lady knows it's understood
Strutter

I know a thing or two about her
I know she'll only make you cry
She'll let you walk the street beside her
But when she wants, she'll pass you by

Everybody says she's lookin' good
And the lady knows it's understood
Strutter
Strutter
Strutter

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

What about the twisted and folded over wingtip.

After pumping the kite this morning I noticed one wingtip was only half its length, seems to have folded over and maybe twisted.

Any ideas on how to straighten this out with out removing that side of the bladder?

it is a 2007 Fuel 11M.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

if the LE bladder is twisted on the inside, then the only way i have ever found to straighten it is by pulling the bladder out and re-inserting it correctly. I had to do this with an octane. I'd recomend using the opening on the wingtip before the final tail pipe to make sure it has gone in straight, then continue working the bladder through and down the last tail pipe. time consuming and a PITA.

also before removing the LE bladder make sure you check out the last tail pipe and how the bladder is folded in there and remember this, because are going to want to put the bladder in exactly the same way or you might risk blowing out the end of the bladder which is no good at all cause then you might as well just get a new bladder.

I have heard of people inflating the LE bladder slightly and then massaging the twist out of it, but i've never had any luck with this. if you need some zip ties to reconnect the one pump parts lemme know, i have a bunch at home and will bring them to the kitebeach tomorrow after work.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Preferably pull the bladder, pour in a little spare methonal (or ethanol), shake it around and dump it out. Methanol mixes 100% w/ water, flows and evap's easier. Called methonal drying - we used to use it in the lab to get water out of glassware. Shouldn't hurt the bladder but it'd test it out on a end piece first. Very quick!

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted