sea anchor!

[Kristan]

Not sure if that was sarcasm...

I'd rinse it, then dry it, no mildew would happen. Salt crystals might harm the kite in the long run.

[Carlos_C]

Sorry but I have been riding flysurfer kites since 2002 and have never rinsed a kite with fresh water.....and have packed away many a wet kite.....with no observable harm..I still ride occasionally my psycho 3's from 2006 - and they are perfectly fine for such old kites.

[drsurf]

I'll go even further back than Carlos. I've been kitesurfing from the year 2000, always in salt water. I have never washed my kites and all the salt has done is prevent mould/mildew. Salt has never caused any problems with the any fabric or stitching part of the kite or any other part apart from the alloy bar and the f%$#ing alloy zippers on kite bags.
Apart from physical physical damage to the fabric of the kite, UV degradation from the sun even in cloudy climates, will cause the fabric to weaken and fail well before any effect from salt water. Also don't wash it off when you get out of the water, salt water is good for your skin too (Unless it's polluted.)

[PurdyKiter]

Sorry but I have been riding flysurfer kites since 2002 and have never rinsed a kite with fresh water.....and have packed away many a wet kite.....with no observable harm..I still ride occasionally my psycho 3's from 2006 - and they are perfectly fine for such old kites.

Thanks. I crashed and swam (salt water) with a very wet brand new FS Soul 12m five weeks ago. I spent 3+ hours in the back yard with a leaf blower keeping the kite inflated on a sunny day. This got most of the water out but regardless of how many drying hours there still remained a mist of tiny droplets inside. Now we're in a wind slump and when I inspect the Soul it feels damp.
No stains.
Seems like it will take a month of Mexico to finally get this thing fully dried.

[collider]

Try just hanging it up on a clothes line over night, gravity might help - my Speed 3 21m gets bone dry leaving it hung up in the hallway, and only 30-40 mins laying out in sun. Although the new fabric on your soul might be so efficient that water can't get out... awesome problem to have!

[PurdyKiter]

Try just hanging it up on a clothes line over night, gravity might help - my Speed 3 21m gets bone dry leaving it hung up in the hallway, and only 30-40 mins laying out in sun. Although the new fabric on your soul might be so efficient that water can't get out... awesome problem to have!

Yes, The new fabric is the "issue" I could stare at those droplets in bright sunlight for an hour and they don't go anywhere. It's a vapor barrier.

[Pump me up]

I’m following this thread with great interest ...

[Janus]

I’m following this thread with great interest ...

I will feed you.
Of course you will follow this topic with great interest.

Get a live.

[elguapo]

Try just hanging it up on a clothes line over night, gravity might help - my Speed 3 21m gets bone dry leaving it hung up in the hallway, and only 30-40 mins laying out in sun. Although the new fabric on your soul might be so efficient that water can't get out... awesome problem to have!

correct me if im wrong...but isnt the best way to dry a foil kite is to simply fly it?

[drsurf]

Try just hanging it up on a clothes line over night, gravity might help - my Speed 3 21m gets bone dry leaving it hung up in the hallway, and only 30-40 mins laying out in sun. Although the new fabric on your soul might be so efficient that water can't get out... awesome problem to have!

correct me if im wrong...but isnt the best way to dry a foil kite is to simply fly it?

Yep. Just dry it in the air next time you go kitesurfing if its wet with salt water.