I made a quick video of me making an inflatable seat from a seat kit, to go along with the text+picture instructions. It’s not the current seat with dedicated tie-down points, but the shape and number of baffles is the same. If you watch it, please hit the Like button on Youtube 🙂
Evan Rodgers emailed me this simple and ingenious method of using a second Boston valve to create an inflation bag adapter that screws into the packraft’s Boston valve. Great idea! Thanks for sharing, Evan! Here’s Read more…
As part of my effort to continuously improve the DIY Packraft instructions, I’ve made a new, more comprehensive video about heat sealing. It’s pretty long, but it’s everything you need to know, all in one Read more…
While doing some research for an upcoming packrafting trip, I came across a very useful resource that I’d like to bring to your attention. It’s a concise 38-page PDF called Backpacking Food: Recipes, Rations, Stoves Read more…
4 Comments
Matt (Admin) · November 17, 2019 at 2:37 pm
Thanks, Reed. Please let me know if it gets worse.
The 190 GSM fabric might be okay, but its tear strength is a lot lower than that of the 250 GSM fabric, so it probably depends on how you’ll use it. I haven’t tried it myself, so I can’t really advise you on that.
Reed · November 15, 2019 at 11:22 am
Has anyone had issues with the seat fabric leaking at the baffles? I think the TPU baffle seams inside the pillow are being pulled apart creating slow seepy leaks in the middle of the seat. I repaired the leaks by applying a think coat of Seamgrip to the exterior of the pillow where the baffles are. I am just curious if this is a common issue because I am about to add an inflatable floor to my V3 and am concerned about baffle leaks. Thanks.
Matt (Admin) · November 15, 2019 at 12:58 pm
I haven’t experienced this, but I’m curious if you added reinforcing strips to the TPU side of the baffle-to-seat welds – I’ve always done that, but I can see how it might peel over time if you didn’t. I’m also curious if it’s happening at the ends of the baffles (close to the side of the seat) or somewhere in the middle. When you make your inflatable floor, I recommend extending the baffles fairly close to the edge of the floor so there’s no tension on the edge of the baffles when the floor is inflated… if that doesn’t make sense, send me an email and I’ll draw a picture. One other tip is to avoid over-inflating the seat… it’s more comfortable and there’s much less tension on the welds when it’s a bit soft. Cheers!
Reed · November 15, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Thank you for the quick reply. I did add the reinforcing strips. The leaks occur at various points along multiple baffles and on both sides of the seat. They are very slow seepy leaks that are apparent with soap spray test. It needed to be reinflated once per hour or so when paddling. I may have over inflated the seat trying to locate leaks and/or during use. Also, it is the first thing I made (before starting the V3 construction) so I was still learning how to work with the fabric. The Seamgrip is working for now.
For the inflatable floor that makes sense to extend baffles close to edge. I am also considering using the two-sided 190 TPU, so even if some peeling occurs the fabric should still be air tight due to exterior TPU coating. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks Matt, Overall I am very satisfied with my V3 and really appreciate your work.