brockrock1000 - 5-6-2016 at 09:31 AM
I took my Rage 4.7 out on the beach last night for what turned into a brief session prior to the fog rolling in. I noticed after landing it, that the
kite was slightly damp, and the process of stowing it in the fairly light breeze caused the kite and baffles to become moderately sand
covered/contaminated.
I very carefully packed and transported the kite, and upon getting home, I spread it out to dry overnight in the garage (where I keep a dehumidifier
running as needed). This morning, everything was fully dry, and I set about cleaning it. I used a small brush on a vacuum to gently clean the outer
portion, and I shook out the baffles 'fairly' well.
My question is, would it be a common procedure to fly the kite with the sand outs opened in order to purge any remaining sand through the inner
baffles to the outer corners where the 'outs' are located. It seems fairly difficult to work the small bit of remaining sand to the 'outs' by hand,
but I can picture this maybe working pretty well.
For all I know, this is what the sand outs are for, but I have not read that in any of the info that came with my kites.
WELDNGOD - 5-6-2016 at 10:02 AM
You can fly dirt out of it.Shake it side to side hard while flying and the sand will break loose. I open them up on gusty days to help soften the
gusts a bit.
bigkid - 5-6-2016 at 10:27 AM
It flys upside down, a few shakes and it will empty most out by itself.
brockrock1000 - 5-6-2016 at 10:27 AM
Ok. Perfect. Thanks for reply. Yes, I did learn that second part one time by accidentally leaving them opened. I thought it felt different and could
then see that they were flapping opened. Since it was flying okay, I went with it and noticed it seemed muted a bit. Makes sense really.
abkayak - 6-6-2016 at 10:13 AM
most kites dirtouts are too small...love the larger one that you can actually fit your hand in
i have spring clamps mounted outside above the garage door and hang my kites upside down to dry and get the sand out
brockrock1000 - 6-6-2016 at 11:10 AM
Thank you all for the very useful advice and tips. I and other newcomers to this sport/hobby greatly appreciate the replies to our questions from
well experienced folks!
We had a fairly strong weather front move through here last night clearing the skies, leaving in its wake drier, gusty conditions. I took the 4.7 out
to the shore this morning in what where choppy, 15-20 mph winds, and with the dirtouts left opened and flapping, I set it high aloft.
These were conditions that I ordinarily would not have flown this kite, but with the dirtouts left opened, it was indeed, very manageable. I could
really feel the baffles 'giving in' to the frequent gusts, and although it was still work to dive into and fly directly across the power zone, it was
a joy to fly. Inspection after landing then revealed that all of the sand within the kite's baffles prior to flight had been purged/blown out rather
nicely.
I do like the idea of hanging the kite upside down, and I had not considered this. I can see there being many times in the future when sand is again
an issue - since I enjoy flying on the beach - and it could then be weeks until similar conditions to today's allow me to 'fly it out'. Hanging the
kite and working out the sand that way would be a great option.