DIY Packraft | Site-Wide Activity https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/ Activity feed for the entire site. Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:57:04 -0700 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 7c9e01124829df42330ee630ca21150b Matt (Admin) wrote a new post https://www.diypackraft.com/?p=22292 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:53:54 -0700 DIY Packrafting the Nahanni The Nahanni River in Canada’s Northwest Territories is one of the world’s premier paddling destinations, and earlier this month six DIY Packrafters […]

]]> 929a7b63ebbd68fafd05d5161b8b502a Matt (Admin) wrote a new post https://www.diypackraft.com/?p=22270 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:55:38 -0700 More Tariffs for America The Trump administration has imposed 50% tariffs on drybag kits and thigh strap kits (unless they’re part of a packraft kit). That means that if you […]

]]> bf1d2063908e72b17350f327dc1a82cd Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Chilko XL Internal Length? in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/chilko-xl-internal-length/#post-22226 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:25:04 -0700 Yeah, I think the Skeena XL is a much better option for taking a small passenger. It’ll be much roomier.

 

]]> 0 2ecc55d5d22d808981001f35471bea73 HandyMan replied to the topic Chilko XL Internal Length? in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/chilko-xl-internal-length/#post-22225 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:38:11 -0700 Thanks Matt! So it looks like the XL Skeena is a tad longer? If thats the case, I’ll likely go with the Skeena and make do without the self-bailing floor.

]]> 0 6b9eb0dc0e09ecf9a8ad164c695d7e69 Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Chilko XL Internal Length? in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/chilko-xl-internal-length/#post-22223 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:06:57 -0700 The internal length is about 1.50 m. Cheers

]]> 0 59d72f972e9a6792d15fc5e23c0cfeda HandyMan started the topic Chilko XL Internal Length? in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/chilko-xl-internal-length/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:03:32 -0700 Anyone know the internal length of the XL Chilko?

Trying to decide what would be best for me and a 7 year old on mild whitewater. We currently use a medium sized generic packraft but I could use some more legroom. I feel like the full 2 person kit will be a bit large for me to maneuver, since my son isn’t helping with paddling much at this point,…[Read more]

]]> 0 7b8d1ed719e8cf68137705c06c4cee70 HandyMan replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/say-hi-here-to-prove-you-are-not-a-spam-bot/#post-22221 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:39:50 -0700 Hi! Doing my best bot impression, but I think I’m failing.

]]> 0 74bccb926ab8a267fd7e366ca3a26987 HandyMan became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5433/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:49:48 -0700 0 4f27d044da0238d2db80b65ac8da9260 TheLotus became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5431/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:47:12 -0700 0 ebe47e183c9901341587fe8a9f39fcfc MikeyLyn's profile was updated https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5428/ Sun, 26 Jul 2026 22:23:15 -0700 0 f3ae1fba2da612605fea2a512061f7d1 MikeyLyn replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/say-hi-here-to-prove-you-are-not-a-spam-bot/#post-22169 Sun, 26 Jul 2026 22:22:11 -0700 Hello!

Non-bot response incoming: Special Education teacher from the states, currently on summer break, so I do not currently feel like a robot, haha!

]]> 0 d34aaa94a566f225af5c913b23253c1d MikeyLyn became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5426/ Sun, 26 Jul 2026 22:14:39 -0700 0 8953b221a6b7afa26eae0d5ca458527c ecassoutdoors became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5424/ Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:14:36 -0700 0 d87da59b019ae5f1ee593cb536bec2d5 Matt (Admin) wrote a new post https://www.diypackraft.com/?p=22149 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 21:13:49 -0700 Deck Bag/Day Pack Muriel Chahine strikes again with this ingenious deck bag that converts into a day pack! “I really like it,” she wrote in her email. “Quite a bit […]

]]> a4f063ed7c73ed4c18ebcb4407b5b03c Matt (Admin) wrote a new post https://www.diypackraft.com/?p=22135 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 20:41:10 -0700 Chilko Spray Deck Chilko kits are now available with a spray deck and spray skirt (as opposed to the self-bailing model). Thanks to Nicolas Schneiter for […]

]]> 510393a6d3f18856736898ac9409579e Matt (Admin) wrote a new post https://www.diypackraft.com/?p=22111 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 02:03:51 -0700 Chilko Surfing Video Thanks to Nick MacLean for trying out the Chilko so I could get this shot! There are dangerous holes on either side of this wave, so it takes skill to surf here safely.

]]> 1f0c56a17bd05e8c104f411a3739578d spirler became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5419/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:46:38 -0700 0 0ad2f5d3d92f232cb5531e7a7f685378 Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Flaking/peeling floor in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/flaking-peeling-floor/#post-22013 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:44:56 -0700 Hmm, I haven’t heard of anything like that before, but it kind of sounds like the previous builder spread some kind of sealant over the fabric, thinking it would provide extra protection, but it didn’t stick to the TPU very well. Does that fit what you’re seeing?

]]> 0 7955326e642b20fc326e6aa40520a075 dayne started the topic Flaking/peeling floor in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/flaking-peeling-floor/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 02:59:13 -0700 Flaking surface

I recently bought a telkwa from someone in my local community who became frustrated and moved onto a factory built raft. I built a skeen a few years ago so I am familiar with the materials and build process and felt confident i could fix it. The telkwa is complete but after one trip will not hold air. I got it home today and started tracking…[Read more]

]]> 0 18991330ff285061ee4d2e76bc8237b7 joes changed their profile picture https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5411/ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 02:13:00 -0700 0 b15f847384b1e0ca40c94149ccaebbad joes's profile was updated https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5409/ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 02:10:53 -0700 0 b977215abc29ff12f0a51e0ad8c5b1d9 Torzo replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/say-hi-here-to-prove-you-are-not-a-spam-bot/#post-21986 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:32:29 -0700 Hi! I could be a bot if you want me to 😉

]]> 0 941c8129e4fabeff2c74e2e56304faf9 Torzo became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5407/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:08:21 -0700 0 8605ea0181325f16b902c6038a32f0b5 Torzo changed their profile picture https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5406/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:29:33 -0700 0 83868c5a11029c4e5f06ad7195ec48c3 Jameson changed their profile picture https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5403/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:13:17 -0700 0 71b37dc5f23dcb3277a768ad893f6796 Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-packraft-photos/#post-21889 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:43:16 -0700 Awesome, thanks for posting! I can probably do a multi for you next week – send me an email to discuss. Cheers!

 

]]> 0 a722fa0d727afd7286b86337b3931a04 Srdan became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5397/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 03:36:57 -0700 0 d0ae3f62d5bb56c41ca9d040ddccd910 joes replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-packraft-photos/#post-21888 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 03:22:09 -0700

Here’s a less than informational photo of the Skeena I made. This is a calm section of Sandy river in Oregon. Very stable boat, even in class III. My partner has been using it and it’s been the perfect boat to learn on – time to upgrade however..

Any timeline on when/if a multi-coloured Chilko will show up? Curious what’s happening here before…[Read more]

]]> 0 71254b3616a959624dbfd29c28c24ff9 Matt (Admin) wrote a new post https://www.diypackraft.com/?p=21739 Thu, 14 May 2026 21:35:45 -0700 Tariff Refunds! If you’ve been following the US tariff drama, you may know that the US Supreme Court deemed many of the tariffs illegal back at the end of February. […]

]]> 0b717550e82f525ef0a7330ccb25d796 Matt (Admin) wrote a new post https://www.diypackraft.com/?p=21574 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:22:16 -0700 New Footrest Kit The new Chilko whitewater packraft kit will include an inflatable footrest, and I’ve decided to offer the footrest as a standalone kit too, so those […]

]]> 2f04373fdb4952b80d98c4e186513b84 Matt (Admin) wrote a new post https://www.diypackraft.com/?p=21527 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:53:57 -0700 Meet the Chilko Self-Bailer 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 […]

]]> 298f0d2bcba3006d2541b9fbcaf7a38d Christian001 replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-21520 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:54:03 -0700 I used a heat gun to do some tricky spots on my packrafts. I used the “858D Heat Gun” (search for it on AliExpress). I flattened the smallest nozzle slightly with pliers. This allowed me to direct the airflow much more precisely onto the seams. I don’t recall the exact settings (temperature and airflow) right now, but if you need me to look them…[Read more]

]]> 0 0dfa0b54b67e9405c704874af54b4f7c balloonbuster became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5383/ Sun, 22 Mar 2026 16:11:02 -0700 0 811baa6f1f79c3f4564e8bb4d42b7c10 Matt (Admin) replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/say-hi-here-to-prove-you-are-not-a-spam-bot/#post-21485 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:01:31 -0700 Welcome!

Just scroll down to the bottom of the topics list when you’re logged in and you should see a form to create a new topic there.

 

]]> 0 24108e77f1e4cfba0a28f2556be5f042 RooflessRider replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/say-hi-here-to-prove-you-are-not-a-spam-bot/#post-21483 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:54:42 -0700 Hello,

I really appreciate all the resources posted here and on YT for diy rafts.

I’d like to make a post about a making a diy ‘cataraft’ however I can’t find an option to create a new thread, only reply to existing ones…?

]]> 0 7fd4cee09067fa62fc06a0b18192e5b4 zhanghz became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5377/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:44:30 -0700 0 6893e96d8c0c5a5c7d6201a6369786d6 RooflessRider became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5376/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:30:58 -0700 0 60f433d6baeb6bdb20f8952f0e5ad949 Calima replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-21405 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:17:36 -0700 Thanks, then I will stick with the iron and I will test the iron on the banner since I will be reusing it I can make tests there.

]]> 0 bba75cb2b343dde632edee71e0779830 Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-21404 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:28:01 -0700 Hi, some people have used hot air welders successfully, but I tried it and couldn’t get it to work well myself. I found that I needed three hands, and it was difficult to direct the heat only on the areas I wanted to weld.

I’m not sure if an iron will work on the banner vinyl material you have.

 

]]> 0 8d40b9a19a39bc5861c1457a8c66f846 Calima replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-21403 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:54:16 -0700 Hi!

I would like to make a packraft and I also have some old vinyl banners for other projects, so my question is if you could use this too for the packraft.

I already checked the forums and the mini iron as far I understand wont work really well with 110v, but if it is the best tool for the job then I will buy that one, I can always make it work…[Read more]

]]> 0 7f4965bf887765ee4ac5cb1faed0d1da Calima replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/say-hi-here-to-prove-you-are-not-a-spam-bot/#post-21402 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:49:06 -0700 Hey, human here

]]> 0 4ac7897ac71e0cacc140dffc806f1408 LeonChen became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5370/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:42:50 -0700 0 6827dfd06fbb62298661c9fd3faf1604 Calima became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5367/ Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:23:22 -0800 0 58d508bfce1fbdac6fa94dedc76a48c9 Calima's profile was updated https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5366/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:13:44 -0800 0 d4c395cca116a4f10018f6ff12fb4783 Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Ultralight backrest and backband in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/ultralight-backrest-and-backband/#post-21396 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:09:08 -0800 I don’t normally include the back band parts with the ultralight seat kits, but I can if you want. I think it would work fine, but I haven’t tried it, so I’m not 100% sure. Just send me an email if you’re thinking about ordering one and you want those parts.

Most of the weight savings in the ultralight seat kit comes from the seat bottom, which…[Read more]

]]> 0 532177dc027e993ae750e4f81ebb463c elimcparlan became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/5363/ Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:04:17 -0800 0 7e9454aa53585c8d81691e5acc78a0ad Andriy replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-accessories-2/#post-21391 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:38:32 -0800 It’s a good idea, but I made boats for friends for special military operations. Speed, simplicity, and weight are essential there. They take several boats. Usually, when a mine hit, they threw the boat away. If it survived, they unscrewed the plug, threw it away, quickly deflated it, and left. There are several spare plugs in the pocket. If the…[Read more]

]]> 0 36e8d19cbf816bf33d0231890ae886bf Christian001 replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-accessories-2/#post-21388 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:50:36 -0800 Hi Andriy,

you don’t need two valves. One is enough. I use a clothespin, one end of which I’ve shortened slightly. This allows me to insert it into the bottle valve. This holds the lower flap open, allowing the air to be released.

]]> 0 cd50b655e14783ba742171625d672414 Andriy replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-accessories-2/#post-21382 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:23:16 -0800 The translator did not translate correctly. These two valves are lighter than one Boston valve.

]]> 0 59d4057033a7399f948973fd1f67ab78 Andriy replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-accessories-2/#post-21381 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:20:09 -0800 I want to show you how I make the valve. The only drawback is that you need to make two of them. One to inflate, the other to deflate. But it’s still easier than a Boston valve. I can’t post a photo of the boat without permission, since I designed it myself, so I’m posting a photo of the valve so you can understand the principle on a boat with a…[Read more]

]]> 0