Power Kite Forum

Vacuum bags

Kamikuza - 19-12-2011 at 04:47 AM

The kind you put things in then suck all the air out of ... bloody awesome things! :thumbup:

Cost about Y900 here, or about $11 for 2. I bought a box of the M size and LL size - you could easily get 2 big kites in the LL long ways, and you could probably squeeze 2 in the medium, side by side ... I put a kite in each (2 is 1 etc) of the M for the trip to NZ.

Now there's too much space in the board bag :o

bigkahuna - 19-12-2011 at 05:31 AM

Yup. Vacuum bags are perfect for packing kites for travel. Two thumbs up from me. ;)

43patrick - 19-12-2011 at 07:58 AM

That is a great idea. I am going to look for some to day. Any idea on where to start?

bigkahuna - 19-12-2011 at 08:00 AM

Walmart sells a pack of them that includes a variety of sizes. Price was around $10 if I recall correctly.

flyguy0101 - 19-12-2011 at 09:04 AM

Stupid question- Understand it works great getting to your destination but how to you reseal for the trip home. Would assume the vacuum cleaner would take too much space:smilegrin:
Scott

bigkahuna - 19-12-2011 at 09:53 AM

One option is to borrow a vacuum cleaner (that's what I did) or you can roll the bag and squeeze as much air out as you can before sealing it up. I've done that also. Not as effective as using a vacuum cleaner but it works better than no bag at all.

silvereaglekiter - 19-12-2011 at 10:46 AM

Reverse beach ball :o :crazy:

bigkahuna - 19-12-2011 at 11:26 AM

Another option, assuming you have inflatable kites, is to use the kitepump to suck out the air install the hose on the suction side).

Kamikuza - 20-12-2011 at 12:57 AM

I'm pretty sure any place I'd be staying have a vacuum cleaner :lol:
Of course, it's only for travel, not for trips to the beach. Although it has a big chunky ziploc erm zip; the cheaper ones that don't have the big round one-way valve, make you put the cleaner nozzle into the bag at the zip - as bigK said, you could just use your kite-pump ... assuming you're using LEIs :D

I actually went into the shop just looking for thick vinyl bags, but couldn't explain to the clerk so she pointed me at them and I was like "hey even better!"

Got the 16 and 13m Crossbows shrunk down so they both fit in the 13m bag - easily. You could probably squeeze a 10m in there too :o

cheezycheese - 20-12-2011 at 04:57 AM

Contractor grade garbage bags work also... Muy cheap.. A little gorilla tape at the top and viola !!

Scudley - 20-12-2011 at 11:10 AM

A return trip for holidays or are you moving back to NZ?

S

Kamikuza - 20-12-2011 at 06:34 PM

Just the Xmas hols ... first time home in 8 years for me. I'm glad to be away from the place to be honest and aren't really looking forward to going back :D

So I went a bit over-board and vac-packed ... everything :lol: in my 160cm North board bag (yes I'm going to pay excess fees) I have my 2 Flyboards, 2 Crossbows, S3 21 and harness, wetsuit and board hardware. I vac-packed the Cab kites end to end in the big bag and the S3 at one end and the pump, Cab bar, hardware etc at the other end in another bag. Stops it all sliding around.
Same goes for the cheesey tramping pack I'm using as check-in. Easiest packing I ever did!

Krohn1999 - 21-12-2011 at 12:19 AM

I have been using the vac bags for a few years now and have never had a problem finding somone with a Vaccum cleaner to get them flat again. I am normally in a hotel or at somones house and there was always a Vac close by. The Pump idea is also good for the LEI's.

arkay - 21-12-2011 at 11:24 PM

You do have to be careful with the vacuum bags on LEI's as you can invert or twist the bladders... do everything slowly and you're likely to have great success. worked like a champ when i went to FL. NSI bag fit my 12, 9, 7 LEIs, V2 16, harness, pump, bars, and the 150 mako :D

WELDNGOD - 22-12-2011 at 05:35 AM

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