Random thoughts: Any reason you couldn't use latex sealant instead of a bladder?

[Peter_Frank]

Which could actually be WAY better than stressing with a bladder out/in and all the downsides

I like the idea no matter how far or close to reality

Peter

[evan]

Isn't aluula airtight already? Only need to find a way to glue or weld that stuff into airtight tubes like they make inflatable boats. Could even be lighter and stronger compared to stitching when done right, but I guess it will increase the cost even further...

Repair could indeed be as simple as gluing a patch to the outside.

[sarc]

I suspect the sealant may end up being heavier than a PU bladder? If it needs to be effective over long time with inflate/deflate

[Joostio]

We have already been doing Glued Aluula patches. The process is quite a pain in the butt so far and the glue has a limited shelf life. That may the way in the future but right now with the glues we use it's certainly not a beach side repair.

Easier to use 2 part glue needs to come a long way before we get there.

[pākihiroa]

Or, laminate a lightweight, airtight, membrane right onto the inner side of the bladder fabric (or between an inner and outer layer of bladder fabric).

Someone else can figure out a solution for joining the bladder sections. Some sort of 'weld' perhaps ?

[jjm]

Will be interesting seeing what comes out of Brainchild Production: https://www.iksurfmag.com/issue96/?page=185

[Flyingseb]

Personally, I’m more encline to believe in welded seams, as the materials are always polymers. I suspect that manufacturers are just trying out to figure out to it with a reliable process.
Once welded, it won’t be much more complex to make it air tight.

[Trent hink]

It's a good idea, but latex is not the right material. It breaks down and gets sticky in a bit of heat, and god-forbid the sun touches it.

Funny story:

When I first got into kiteboarding, I owned a couple of Windtools Mosquito foils, 7.5 and 9.5. pro ks.

They were actually very good for what was available at the time, and high-performance if rigged as two-line foils.

Anyways, Windtools came up with the CAP, aka "condom air protect" system where the intakes used a latex condom with the tip cut off as the valve for for the intake...

I swear to God...

It actually worked, and the foil kites were water relaunchable even when rigged for two lines, but at the time I lived in Wisconsin.

It's generally cool and not sunny there in Wisconsin; but I'm pretty sure everyone at my local pharmacy thought I was some sort of twisted pervert, based on the rate I was buying large boxes of condoms to keep my kites functional.

So, like I said, good idea, but experience proves that latex is the wrong material!

[Flyingseb]

It's a good idea, but latex is not the right material. It breaks down and gets sticky in a bit of heat, and god-forbid the sun touches it.

Funny story:

When I first got into kiteboarding, I owned a couple of Windtools Mosquito foils, 7.5 and 9.5. pro ks.

They were actually very good for what was available at the time, and high-performance if rigged as two-line foils.

Anyways, Windtools came up with the CAP, aka "condom air protect" system where the intakes used a latex condom with the tip cut off as the valve for for the intake...

I swear to God...

It actually worked, and the foil kites were water relaunchable even when rigged for two lines, but at the time I lived in Wisconsin.

It's generally cool and not sunny there in Wisconsin; but I'm pretty sure everyone at my local pharmacy thought I was some sort of twisted pervert, based on the rate I was buying large boxes of condoms to keep my kites functional.

So, like I said, good idea, but experience proves that latex is the wrong material!

I owned also some Mosquito kites. Condoms would need to be changed every once in a while, so going to the pharmacy to buy some was necessary.
«  I want a box of condom, please », then trying to explain I’m not a maniac or whatsoever, « it is for my kite »
Immediate answer of a skilled professional : «  you can name it like you want, it’s your own business.. »

Agree with you, sealant applied directly to the cloth is a good concept though

[FLandOBX]

Interesting thread. It's got me thinking about tubeless bicycle tires. The sealant inside tubeless bike tires maintains its liquid consistency. It's definitely heavier than the tubed alternative, but has advantages. For example, if the tubeless tire is punctured, the sealant plugs the leak before the tire deflates.

A liquid sealant would cause a kite's balance to vary as it flies across the wind window. You might be able to "even things out" by constantly looping the kite (like a rotating bicycle tire). You'd also have to come up with a new deflate system. Otherwise, you'd end up with a face full of sealant at the end of every session. Surely, somebody can solve these problems???