Activity

Hi,
I’m waiting on my first diypackraft, a Telkwa. Looks like a very fun project.

Today I made an iron stand. Can’t wait to get started.

Cate’

Hi Barbara, this is the only failure I’m aware of, and it’s a good lesson for us all: https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/packraft-failure-near-drowning/

The least stress will be near the tip of the stern, so you could try there. Wherever is convenient should be fine though.

Thanks Matt. I’m using a 210D nylon with TPU coating similar (if not the same) as the original fabric. I got the kit from someone here in the UK that didn’t get around to building but wanted to add the orange seam strips for a different look. I’ve got the original blue strips – wish I’d used them now!!

The test seams have all been very strong…[Read more]

Cool! Excellent work, and thanks for posting!

I don’t know what fabric you’re using, but assuming you’ve tested the welds and you’re satisfied they’re strong, then if you’re careful to avoid leaving any gap where the two pieces meet then it should work out fine. You can’t heat seal a fabric patch over Seam Grip though (or to the inside of the tube fabric, for that matter); instead, I would…[Read more]

Finally getting around to posting some shots of my first Telkwa build this summer! Matt’s instructions really are unbelievably good. It took me about 60 hours because I am nothing if not a little obsessive, but less quality guidance would have had me crying instead of wrapping this up with a finished boat that I couldn’t be more stoked on! The…[Read more]

Looks good from here (see the “note” on the Heat Sealing page about sealing different fabrics together).

It’s nylon.

Hi All,

I’m working on an inflatable project that requires heavier fabric, like 420D or 840D. I’ve been working directly with fabric suppliers since bulk fabric isn’t for sale on here right now. The samples are welding well. Before I pull the trigger on an order, I figured I’d post here to see if anyone else is looking for bulk heavy fabric. The…[Read more]

Excellent work, and thanks for the update!

UL finished. The centre seam weld at the stern was not up to the quality of the others, so I decided to use some Seam Grip there, but otherwise I avoided it altogether. Happy to report that it is holding pressure. No leaks.

Sorry for the delay in replying. To answer your question, yes I did seal the inside of the seams with the Seam Grip. Now that I’ve just finished another boat (UL), I believe I made two mistakes on the Skeena: not consistent with my linger time when welding, not using a good enough bowl/jig to shape the seams at either end. Lessons learnt. Not had…[Read more]