DIY Packraft

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    • Heat-Sealing
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    • Instructions – 2-Person Kits
    • Instructions – Atlin Kits
    • Instructions – Skeena & Telkwa Kits
    • Instructions – Ultralight Kits
    • Roll-Top Drybag Kit
    • TIZIP Zipper Installation
    • Attachment Points & Tie-Downs
    • Top-Up Valve Installation
    • Thigh Straps Installation
    • Back Band Assembly & Installation
    • Boston Valve Installation
    • Inflation Bag Kit Assembly Instructions
    • Packraft Fishing Rod Holder
    • Find & Repair Leaks
    • Spray Skirt Assembly
    • Spray Deck Assembly
    • Heat Sealing Iron Modifications
    • Pack, Carry, and Store a Packraft
    • Instructions – V3 Kits
    • Instructions – V2 Kits
      • Overview
      • Step 0.5 – Practice Heat Sealing
      • Step 1: Joining Tube Pieces to Floor
      • Step 2: Joining Tube Pieces Together
      • Step 3: Join Completed Tubes to Floor
      • Step 4: Double-Layer Floor or Joint Reinforcement
      • Step 5: Installing a Boston Valve
      • Step 6: Center Seams (last step!)
      • Making an Inflatable Floor
  • Blog
    • All
    • 2025
      • MasterSeal Zippers in Stock
      • Introducing the Skeena XL
      • Tariffs on DIY Packrafts?
      • New Spray Deck Option
      • Removable Spray Deck
      • Iron Modifications
      • Off-Grid Heat Sealing Irons
    • 2024
      • Postal Strike Ended (updated)
      • Postal Strike – Good News
      • FedEx & Purolator Shipping Available
      • How to Buy a Gift Card
      • Fabric For Sale
      • Back Band Assembly Instructions
      • Backband Attach Point How-To
      • Slotted Attachment Point Video
      • Price Reductions!
      • Thigh Straps Available Now
      • Inflation Bag or Electric Pump?
      • Opie’s 2-Person Packraft Build Report
      • New Inflation Bag Assembly Instructions
      • New Heat Sealing Iron
      • Zach Schiada’s Telkwa Build Report
      • Video: The Fabrics
      • The first orange DIY Packraft
      • Inflation Bag Boston Valve Adapter
    • 2023
      • $200 DIY Packraft Coupon at Charity Auction
      • Beautiful New Packraft Fabric Colors
      • Replacement Spray Deck Stiffener
      • New Heat Sealing Video
      • Packrafting Safety
      • New Type of Airtight Zipper
      • Drybag Kits Now Available
      • Heat Sealing Forms For Sale
      • Bikerafting Gear & Tips
      • Customer Tips & Build Reports
      • New Payment Methods
      • Save $20 on a Skeena Kit
      • New Year, New Packraft Models?
    • 2022
      • All Kits are In Stock
      • Fabric Update (Dec. 13)
      • Hurry! $200 DIY Packraft Coupon Charity Auction
      • Ultralight Packraft Kits In Stock
      • An Online Packrafting Course
      • First Fabric Shipment Arrived!
      • Fabric Status Update
      • Packraft Trip Video
      • Pre-Orders Available
      • Packraft Kit Pre-Orders?
    • 2021
      • Only a Few Kits Left
      • State of Emergency – Possible Shipping Delay
      • $200 DIY Packraft Coupon Charity Auction
      • Customer Build Report
      • Current Order Processing Times (updated)
      • How to Modify Your Order
      • Packraft Kit Availability Update
      • Online Packrafting Clinic
    • 2020
      • My Month-Long Packrafting Trip
      • Get Email Updates
      • I’m Back/Fabric Delay
      • Now Closed Until September
      • Today: Last Day to Shop ’til September
      • July 9: Last Call for Kits
      • Packraft Camping Video
      • DIY Packraft Closed for ~August
      • Video: How to Roll, Carry, and Store a Packraft
      • Packrafting Paddles & PFDs
      • Pandemic Update/FAQ
      • Bulk Fabric Sales Suspended
      • Notice: Colored Seats
      • Postal Service Suspended to 60 Countries
      • Coronavirus & DIY Packraft
      • New Packraft Floor Fabric
      • Ken’s DIY Packraft Fleet & Telkwa Build Report
    • 2019
      • How to Choose a Packraft (not just DIY)
      • $200 Coupon in Online Charity Auction
      • Backcountry Meal Planning
      • Spray Deck & Spray Skirt
      • A DIY Packraft Logo?
      • Book Review: Packrafting, by Molly Absolon
      • Book Review: A Long Trek Home
      • Convert a Kayak Paddle to a Packraft Paddle & Trekking Pole
      • The Perfect Ultralight Packrafting Water Shoe
      • Packraft Weight Capacity
      • First Look: Skeena
      • Website Redesign in Progress
      • New Video: Iron Temperature & Timing
      • Iron Modification Video
      • Success! New packrafts tested.
      • Surprise: Another New DIY Packraft Model
      • The Silicone Roller: my new favorite tool
      • Packraft Fishing Rod Holder
      • More 2-Person DIY Packraft Pictures
      • First Look: Updated 2-Person DIY Packraft
      • Ken’s DIY Packraft Build Report
      • The Online Review Economy
    • 2018
      • New Ultralight DIY Packraft – First Look
      • Two new fabrics in the shop
      • 14 Day Alaska Group Trip
      • Travel Notice: August 10-24
      • Tim’s Pontoon Kayak, Version 2
      • Tie-Down Video Posted
      • Convertible Spray Deck
      • Packrafting Events, 2018
      • Privacy
      • Camouflage Fabric in Stock
      • Website Speed Maintenance
      • Book Review: The Wilderness Paddler’s Handbook
      • Inflation Bag Video
      • New Seat Construction Video
      • FAQ Reorganized, New Content
      • Zippers & Green Fabric Back In Stock
      • Backordered Products Resupply Timing Estimates
      • New V3 Assembly Video (password protected)
      • Heat Sealable Boston Valves in Stock
      • Backordered Products Resupply Timing Estimates
      • Iron Modifications (more Forum gold)
      • Whitewater Fittings, a Packraft “Trailer,” and More
      • Back from Vacation
    • 2017
      • New Paddling Video
      • The DIY Packraft Kit Tester program
      • Holiday Notice
      • A Few New Videos
      • Another Improved Tie-Down
      • Bruce’s Voyageur 2-Person DIY Packraft – First Float!
      • Overseas? Save money by using a “freight forwarder”
      • V3 Kits Now Shipping!
      • How Fast is a Packraft?
      • V3 DIY Packrafts will start shipping early October
      • Lightweight Fishing Float Tube
      • More photos of the new V3 DIY Packraft
      • Paddling the V3 DIY Packraft
      • First Pictures of the new V3 DIY Packraft
      • Inflation bag kit instructions posted
      • New DIY Packraft Design Available Soon (and a small rant)
      • Inflation Bag Now Available as a Kit
      • New Seat Kit Instructions Posted
      • Review: Model Airplane Heat Sealing Irons
      • Quick review: New 40D Ripstop Fabric
      • Two New Fabrics Added to Shop
      • Fabric is Here! Actually and in Reality!
      • Fabric Shipment Update
      • Good News/Bad News
      • A Few Photos
      • 10% off Coupon Code for Group Orders
      • Another Fabric Shipment Update
      • New Shipping Options, Free Shipping Code
      • Now Using “Stripe” and Supporting Multiple Currencies in the Shop
      • Forum Spam – Private Messaging Disabled
      • Another *%#@ Fabric Delay!
      • Airtight zippers are back in stock
      • Time-Lapse Video of DIY Packraft Construction
      • Alternative lightweight inflation valves
      • Fabric Shipment Update 4
      • Fabric Shipment Update 3
      • Spray Deck Plans (V2)
      • New Fabric Update 2
      • Update: New Fabric
      • DIY 5-Piece Carbon Paddle
      • Inflatable Floor Guidelines
      • Improved Top-Up Valves in Stock
      • Tim’s Pontoon Boat
      • A few Multi-Color Kits Left (until resupply)
      • Field Repair Tape added to Shop
      • New Spray Deck (Pictures!)
      • Crowd Sourcing Green
      • Aquaseal and Seam Grip added to Shop
      • New Option: Self-Bailing and/or Inflatable Floor
      • Video – Finding & Fixing Leaks
      • Photos – Vancouver Island Paddling
      • TIZIP Airtight Zippers now in Stock
      • Video – Tomi testing his new DIY Packraft
    • 2016
      • Airtight zipper installation instructions posted
      • New Forum Added to Site!
      • Kit Instructions Finished!
      • New How-To Video
      • Second Instruction Video for Kits
      • Review: $25 Heat-Sealing Iron
      • Making Tie-Downs: Instructions Posted
      • Airtight Zippers Pre-Order Sale!
      • “Whitewater” Packrafting – Just for Fun
      • First Instruction Video for Kits
      • Colour Choosing
      • Video Showing How Plans & Kits Work
      • Fabric Comparison Video
      • New Plans Shipping Now
      • Update on Fabric, Kits, New Valves
      • Punctures, Leaks, & Repairs
      • Fabrics Coming to the Shop (Updated August 23)
      • Google Translate & a DIY carbon fiber paddle
      • Follow DIY Packraft on Instagram
      • Alpine Paddling
      • Inflation Bag
      • DIY Heat Sealing Iron
      • The DIY Packraft World Map
      • New Seat Design
      • New Facebook Page
      • Yellow Packraft Finished!
      • New Larger Packraft Plans!
      • Buoyant and Stable!
      • New How-To Video Posted: Joining Curved Seams
      • New How-To Video: Joining Side Pieces
      • Lake Paddling & 2-Person Test Video
      • New Video Up – Tracing and Cutting Your Fabric
      • Plans Available Now
      • DIY Packraft intro Video
      • 813 grams (1.79 pounds)!
      • DIY Packraft Pictures and Details
      • Plans Available Soon
      • Update
    • 2015
      • Coming in 2016!
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Activity

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  • Profile picture of vinc

    vinc replied to the topic off topic question- hard cooler in packraft in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Thank you!

  • Profile picture of Clyde

    Clyde became a registered member 2 years, 2 months ago

    Clyde

    @clyde

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic off topic question- hard cooler in packraft in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    I can’t really see this as being a problem, but an email to Alpacka might set your mind at ease.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 2 years, 2 months ago

    Beautiful New Packraft Fabric Colors New orange and green packraft tube fabrics (standard weight only). I’m excited to announce that a fabric shipment has arrived with two new […]

    • Profile picture of kdfisher
      kdfisher replied 2 years, 2 months ago

      Those are nice.

    • Profile picture of Christian001
      Christian001 replied 1 year, 10 months ago

      Really nice colors. I think, I should order a new packraft! 🙂

  • Profile picture of vinc

    vinc started the topic off topic question- hard cooler in packraft in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    realize this is not about building packrafts but hoping I can get some input from here because this seems to be one of the biggest packrafting forums

     

    I have 2 alpacka a ranger -410 denier and an explorer42 -210 denier

     

    find that being 200lbs in the back I need a decent amount of weight up front and low to balance the boats and keep them…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of vinc

    vinc became a registered member 2 years, 2 months ago

    vinc

    @vinc

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    It’s a good question, and one that I can’t answer, but only spam bots are currently banned, so certainty isn’t necessary. If you are a spammer, you will be banned regardless of whether you are human or bot (if there is even a real distinction between the two).

  • Profile picture of tothehilt

    tothehilt replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Hi,

    Whether I am a bot or not is a deep philosophical question. I don’t think I am, but how can I know for sure?

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Outstanding! I’m so glad the rod holders worked out. Great work, and thanks for sharing! It looks like you’ve already been to some stunning places. Cheers

  • Profile picture of tothehilt

    tothehilt became a registered member 2 years, 2 months ago

    tothehilt

    @tothehilt

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of EricNort

    EricNort replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    I have completed my build of the Ultralight Packraft with fishing rod holders added.  The build went much quicker than I expected and I had it completed in about three weeks.  I worked on it on nearly a daily basis and was thrilled to have it ready to bring along on a backpacking trip to Flapjack Lakes in Olympic National Park this past w…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of BobDep

    BobDep replied to the topic Atlin and length questions in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    You’re welcome, good luck with the build, I found it a lot of fun . And really satisfying and versatile on the water, adventure awaits!

  • Profile picture of krafter

    krafter replied to the topic Atlin and length questions in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Placed the order for the Atlin! Thanks @BobDep for your help!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Atlin and length questions in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    I second BobDep’s advice 🙂

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Fishing Rod Holders in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Cool! I hope it works out – it looks like it will. Thanks for posting the pictures!

  • Profile picture of Incidentallawyer

    Incidentallawyer became a registered member 2 years, 2 months ago

    Incidentallawyer

    @incidentallawyer

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of EricNort

    EricNort replied to the topic Fishing Rod Holders in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    The build is going great and I am hoping to be able to inflate my raft for the first time by this weekend.  I have the tubes on both sides completed and joined at the front and am in the process of seam sealing all the joints before I close it up at the stern end.  If all goes well, it will be going with me on a 4-day backpacking trip to F…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of BobDep

    BobDep replied to the topic Atlin and length questions in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Oh and to answer your question, I haven’t had Ben and the bike on the raft at the same time , he’s a fairly large dog and I wouldn’t run him for 30 – 40 km so it’s one or the other ..

    Bob

  • Profile picture of BobDep

    BobDep replied to the topic Atlin and length questions in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Hey , good evening… i pretty much went through the same thought process as you are at the moment . It’s true there’s no one  raft that’s going to get everything done well .
    so what I decided was I would build my bike rafting set up first ( make sure I could accommodate Ben, and enough gear for 4/5 days out )  bike raft my local rivers  for quic…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of krafter

    krafter replied to the topic Atlin and length questions in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Thanks! Two more questions for you (I don’t know if you’ve tried the Skeena, but you said you’ve used other kayaks, so…) – which of these would you say is better playing the “as a” role?

    a. The Atlin as a general-purpose packraft (mostly lake paddling and possibly occasional class 1-2 WW in the future, <50% bikerafting)

    b. The Skeena as a…[Read more]

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Recent Posts
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  • MasterSeal Zippers in Stock
  • Tariff Info for US Customers
  • Postal Strike (Updated Oct. 14)
  • Introducing the Skeena XL
Recent Comments
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