Normally I'm out kiting a couple of times a week so i don't bother to clean my kite off when i pack it away.
However i've been sick and haven't been out in about 3 weeks and my kiteboarding gear has been sitting in the shed.
I decided to go for a kite yesterday and pulled my kite out (still sort of damp and sandy). There were all these ants all over my kite. As i unrolled it i'd noticed the little bstrds had eaten holes all through my kite!
SPEWING!!!
There's seriously like 30 different holes!
Just letting you all know! I'll definately be cleaning my next kite after every use!
dont think cleaning your kite would have helped, they were chewing it into bits so they could build a nest.
Unless you dropped your kite in <insert your favourite fizzy drink here> I think rowdy is on the right track.
Besides, dirty kites have character.
But if you ever find this "Ant" on your kite be sure to clean it very well:
Ok. so basically its not my fault for being lazy and not cleaning my kite... SWEET!
Maybe i just need to keep it inside.
ps. i have about 30 little holes in my kite, it still flew on the weekend in light winds but does anyone know if it'd be worth getting repaired? My kites probably only worth $400.
Sounds like a good excuse to buy a new toy
. I know of a few 2nd hand kites getting around adelaide. PM me if you need any help.
Cover the holes with sail repair tape from your local sailing shop (no I don't work there) and it should be fine
You can get precut sail repair tape sticky "dots" Just get the spinnaker weight ones. Stick one either side of the hole. Some people would also say use two different size repair pieces, so you don't get a crease on the edge of the repair.
Get sail racing numbers to fix small holes, sticks like ****e to a blanket, get no 8's so you get more area, cut small circles about the width of the number, clean kite with clean fresh water, warm with hairdryer and stick a patch each side of hole. I had about 15 on my kite for 2 years and none of them peeled or started to peel in all that time. they stick alot better than spinnaker tape. I had to get some off a windsurf sail once that had been on there for a year, took me an hour to remove 1 number even using meths and white spirt. I have never washed my kit and even after being in the back of my van wet for over 4 weeks diddnt hurt them, get some ant powder for your shed or keep kites indoors.
small holes? just use a drop of super glue - fuses the edge of the hole and less likely to rip.
household contents insurance. brand spanker thanks for coming. if your policy doesn't cover it get one that does and then submit the claim. might have to smear an old kite with honey and leave it on an ants nest!
