After binning more prototypes than I care to admit, the Chilko whitewater packraft is finally here!
As you can see in the pictures below, its faceted hull gives it a stable edge that you can lean into with confidence. Compared to the Atlin, Skeena and Telkwa models, the Chilko has larger diameter tubes, extended length, more rocker, and an inflatable floor and footrest. To protect the tubes from punctures, the Chilko borrows the Telkwa’s wrap-around floor concept. Self-bailing is achieved by drain holes in the floor below the level of the inflatable floor insert, and the Chilko’s small wetted area makes it both fast and manoeuvrable. A spray decked version will also be available.
See pricing and specifications here!
11 Comments
lwschaef · June 20, 2026 at 9:25 am
Looks awesome Matt! Do you think it would be possible to modify it to have smaller diameter tubes by using more overlap when sealing the tube fabric to the floor fabric, or would that mess up the geometry of the boat? Would love a whitewater focused boat that paddles more like a kayak, and lower volume tubes would help (I know this is really difficult to pull off in practice). Regardless, awesome work and I’m glad to see you’re still putting out new rafts! My skeena is one of my prized possesions and I’m glad to see the diypackraft dream lives on.
Matt (Admin) · June 21, 2026 at 9:55 am
Hmm, unfortunately the geometry wouldn’t work out, but that’s great to hear!
Uncle Fred · June 17, 2026 at 3:35 pm
Somehow I missed this announcement. Great to see your leg straps and inflatable floor designs mature into a new boat!
Pat · May 5, 2026 at 1:40 pm
This looks sweet, Matt! Competition with the Mage at 30% of the cost, and over a pound lighter. I would love to see some footage of it in whitewater.
Matt (Admin) · May 9, 2026 at 8:44 am
Thanks! The rivers are flooding here, but I hope to be able to do that soon!
Eric · April 10, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Oh my lord! I can’t wait to get one!
Eli · April 5, 2026 at 1:58 pm
Heck yeah finally! 😀
Jameson · June 8, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Well, it looks like I will need, or at least want, to build another boat this fall! 🤞
That is one great looking boat!
Do you have an approximate price for the spray deck when it releases? Or is it too early to speculate?
Matt (Admin) · June 9, 2026 at 9:14 am
Thanks!
If all goes as expected, the spray deck should be the same or a similar price to the other spray decks.
Jameson · June 16, 2026 at 10:57 am
Excellent! I will probably be waiting until the new year to do this as a winter project. I am also hoping that my health and wellness benefit through my insurance will consider this a healthy activity and they will reimburse me a portion of the cost. It certain promotes a healthy lifestyle which saves them money in the long-term.
Matt (Admin) · June 16, 2026 at 11:01 am
Ha! That’s a great idea 😀