DIY Packraft

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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 Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    Thanks for the idea, @Lyn – I added links to this thread on the fabric product pages.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    Looks great! Thanks for posting!

  • Profile picture of Andreas Hergenhan

    Andreas Hergenhan replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    i say it again : to work with 210d from extremtextil you need a digital soldering station and

    important: teflonfoil between the iron and fabric ! my working temperature is 430 degree

     

  • Profile picture of Andrew

    Andrew replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    My Packraft and testing it on the lake

  • Profile picture of Andrew

    Andrew's profile was updated 8 years, 11 months ago

    Andrew

    @awg28

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of Lyn St George

    Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    Perhaps, Matt, this would be a good time to add a note to your shop page about the risk of buying fabric from other sources that is not marked ‘nylon 66’, and a link to this thread (saying to read it all – it’s too easy to miss important bits in a long thread). Many of us have been caught by this issue now, and I’m sure that we would all regard…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Brendon Nevin

    Brendon Nevin replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    Valves

    Boston valves: I searched around to see if I could find a cheaper Boston Valve, no luck in New Zealand, all I managed to find were replacement inserts, not the flanged valve itself. I ended up buying from Aliexpress for $6 USD a piece with free shipping. They seem to be good quality, I ordered three and they all came as yellow on…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Brendon Nevin

    Brendon Nevin replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    STEER CLEAR OF EXTREME TEXTIL (http://www.extremtextil.de)

    Due to Matt running out material and me being super keen to get a packraft together before easter (two weeks away) I ordered from Extreme Textil. I ordered 210d TPU coated one side 275g/sqm, heat sealable (product #71100)  in orange and blue, I also ordered 70d TPU, coated one side 1…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Franny

    Franny became a registered member 8 years, 11 months ago

    Franny

    @fknewpo06

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of Tommy Engebretsen

    Tommy Engebretsen became a registered member 8 years, 11 months ago

    Tommy Engebretsen

    @tusjman

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of Jaahan

    Jaahan started the topic Packrafting with my dog in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone here have any experience with packrafting with dogs?

    I’m 1.83 m (6 ft) tall and have a 23 kg (51 lbs) alaskanhusky that I go hiking with. Measured my legs as instructed, and I end up at about 1.25 m (4 ft 1″)

    If I order a large kit with a zipper and put my 20-40 kg of gear inside the raft itself and my empty backpack in the raft with me a…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Jaahan

    Jaahan became a registered member 8 years, 11 months ago

    Jaahan

    @jaahan

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of Mike Monsos

    Mike Monsos became a registered member 8 years, 11 months ago

    Mike Monsos

    @flyman219

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    Hi James, @jameslthomson,

    Sorry for the delayed response – I didn’t have internet access for a couple days.

    Don’t worry – a 1 cm misalignment at the ends of a seam isn’t a big deal, and it’s not worth trying to re-seal the seam. At worst, you might have a small wrinkle near that corner.

    You can either leave it the way it is or trim the…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of James

    James replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    a question about joining tube pieces together (step 2). What is the tolerance for the corners lining up of two pieces that have been joined together? In spite of my best efforts i still have about a 1 cm difference between the two. Do I have to redo the seam?

  • Profile picture of Timotheus Steiner

    Timotheus Steiner became a registered member 8 years, 11 months ago

    Timotheus Steiner

    @timi

    View Profile
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 8 years, 11 months ago

    Have a look at this beautiful 5-piece DIY carbon fiber packraft paddle made by Andreas H. – pretty good for a first attempt, I’d say!
    It’s made from 20×18 and 18×16 millimeter carbon fiber tubing and 1 mm carbon […]

    • Profile picture of maximumplaid
      maximumplaid replied 8 years, 11 months ago

      Looks really good!

    • Profile picture of Lyn St George
      Lyn St George replied 8 years, 11 months ago

      Congratulations Andreas, a beautiful piece of work there!

    • Profile picture of Andreas Hergenhan
      Andreas Hergenhan replied 8 years, 10 months ago

      material in germany :
      r und g faserverbundwerkstoffe

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic An improved tie down in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    I don’t have a sewing machine, so I’m inclined to try Bruce’s tie-downs – I saw your test video @brucecampbell and the strength vs. weight is very impressive! Thanks for posting. (I’m in the middle of moving house, so haven’t posted your report yet.)

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic sprayskirt and cockpit in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    Hi Loren @lorenjl,

    Sorry for the slow response – I’m in the middle of moving to a new house, so my internet access is limited!

    You can check out some pictures of my spray deck here – I should have plans and materials available soon, for the deck and a spray skirt as well 🙂

    Cheers!

     

  • Profile picture of Loren

    Loren started the topic sprayskirt and cockpit in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 11 months ago

    Hi,

    Really love the designs and the way you’re making this available for the masses of us DIY’ers that are willing to put in some of our own effort in exchange for paying dearly at the store!

    I wondered if you have any sprayskirt and cockpit designs in the works?

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