DIY Packraft

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    • Instructions – Skeena & Telkwa Kits
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    • 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
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    • 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 BobDep

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

    Good morning, mostly flat water and grade 1-2 is what I’ve had experience with over the last couple of months , , if I were to tackle grade 3 I’d probably get out and portage that section given my current experience , that’s not to say that the raft couldn’t handle it , I’d just be cautious.
    The Atlin does seem to be very forgiving  and the learni…[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 for the response! Do you do mostly flatwater (lakes) or rivers?

    Also, do you think it works well as a general-purpose packraft? Say bikepacking < 50% of the time, future class 1/2 rapids possibly. I’m looking to use it as a raft on lakes mostly though, with or without bikes.

  • Profile picture of BobDep

    BobDep replied to the topic Atlin and length questions in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    Hey, here’s my experience.

    1 – more surface area to strap heavy items on the bow  and a little tucked up off the waterline to give increased floatation and control.

    2-I personally have seen no difference in speed compared to kayaks I’ve paddled with.
    3- My Atlin tracks really well  .

    I went for the 147 because I bring my dog along too . There…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of krafter

    krafter started the topic Atlin and length questions in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    A couple of questions:
    1. How is the bow of the Atlin more stable/more bikepacking-friendly?

    2. Does it suffer in any way (speed) from not having a pointy bow?

    3. I read the article on how to choose packraft length – is there any reason not to go for the longest packraft and just have the added space in case? Does the yawing become worse?

  • Profile picture of Luis

    Luis became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago

    Luis

    @luisalbaladejo

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  • Profile picture of Luis

    Luis became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago

    Luis

    @luisalbaladejo

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of krafter

    krafter became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago

    krafter

    @krafter

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of Alpo

    Alpo replied to the topic DIY inflatable catamaran in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    Fittings are screw and nut type and will seal well to the fabric, with perhaps a little glue or a rubber gasket. I’ve used those for attaching inflation tubes. Problem is more likely between fitting and crossbraces as it’s not easy to find exactly matching sizes. And perhaps if your fabric is on the thin and flexible side then the hole in the…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of ztron

    ztron replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    Not a bot.

  • Profile picture of HydroCycle

    HydroCycle posted an update 2 years, 3 months ago

    How do I set profile picture.

  • Profile picture of HydroCycle

    HydroCycle replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    Aloha, not a bot.

     

    https://vimeo.com/HydroCycle

  • Profile picture of HydroCycle

    HydroCycle became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago

    HydroCycle

    @hydrocycle

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  • Profile picture of gregkn

    gregkn replied to the topic DIY inflatable catamaran in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks Apo from your out of the box Idea. But I am afraid to try it, I think not even helaplast glue, will hold  fittings you suggested onto the fabric.

  • Profile picture of ztron

    ztron replied to the topic Atlin Tube 1 Final Seam Issue in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    Not at all, use whatever you want.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Atlin Tube 1 Final Seam Issue in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    Well done – it looks great! Do you mind if I add your photos to the instructions page?

  • Profile picture of Olle

    Olle replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    After making a V3 three years ago, last winter I built an ultralight. The experience probably made me a bit quicker and I definitely had fewer leaks after sealing the packraft shut the first time. Also, I found the small squares on the thin material useful getting straight lines with the iron.
    Right after finishing I took it to northern Spain for…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of ztron

    ztron replied to the topic Atlin Tube 1 Final Seam Issue in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks again for the help Matt, worked out great.

  • Profile picture of ztron

    ztron replied to the topic Atlin Tube 1 Final Seam Issue in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

  • Profile picture of ztron

    ztron replied to the topic Atlin Tube 1 Final Seam Issue in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

  • Profile picture of ztron

    ztron replied to the topic Atlin Tube 1 Final Seam Issue in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

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