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
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    • 2025
      • 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 snack pack

    snack pack replied to the topic HELP – Too hot iron – back side of double sided TPU floor melted in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 2 months ago

    I’m having a bit of the same “problem” with the melt through, but have experimented a lot with the welds and the ones that burns through some is the strongest, so I am just writing it off as an aesthetic difference and love the idea of just slapping some extra fabric on the bottom of the boat.

     

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic 2p Raft Seating Alternative in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 2 months ago

    I either sit on the tubes or on a seat slid all the way back, depending on what else is in the packraft and how it all fits. Solo in the 2-Person, I use a kayak paddle – the longest one I have. If I was paddling with another adult, I might choose canoe paddles because it’s less annoying (you don’t smack paddles if the person in the rear stops…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of eswets

    eswets replied to the topic DIY GTX drysuit in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 2 months ago

    My sewing involves both outdoor clothing and gear, as you can see on my instagram page (link above). The pattern I drafted myself, roughly based on a basic pants and jacket pattern, but adjusted to fit a seating position (1 setof darts in the knee and elbow region, 2 sets of darts in the seat area). The fabric I sourced locally here in Norway, the…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of mttgilbert

    mttgilbert replied to the topic DIY GTX drysuit in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 2 months ago

    I do some sewing as well and am interested in the process for the drysuit. Is your sewing experience more geared towards clothing? I’ve done a little bit, but mostly I’ve sewn gear (sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, etc)

    Did you freelance the pattern or use something specific? Also, where did you source your material?

  • Profile picture of mttgilbert

    mttgilbert replied to the topic 2p Raft Seating Alternative in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 2 months ago

    That’s interesting, do you actually sit on the convergence of the two tubes in the stern or is that where you’re wedging the seat? Are you using a traditional kayak paddle or a canoe style paddle?

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic 2p Raft Seating Alternative in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 2 months ago

    I think you’ll find the width of the 2-Person packraft to be as much of an issue as the seat height, and after testing the idea of a kayak-style seat you might change your mind. When paddling solo with a large/heavy load, I actually prefer to sit on the rear tubes because it’s narrower there and you have better visibility and control.

  • Profile picture of mttgilbert

    mttgilbert started the topic 2p Raft Seating Alternative in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 2 months ago

    I’m just a couple tube sections in to my 2p Packraft and I’m thinking about the seats. I know the tubes are taller and that seems to be the basis for the canoe style seat kit that comes with it. I got the 2p model specifically to have a packraft large enough to fit me, my dog, and my pack (maybe a bike too). I will likely never have a paddling…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Blackbird

    Blackbird changed their profile picture 3 years, 3 months ago

    Blackbird

    @blackbird

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  • Profile picture of GabC

    GabC replied to the topic Top-up valve adapter for boston valve in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 3 months ago

    I used PLA. It’s not the best choice but it’s the easiest to work with for testing and iteration. I have about 3kg of ASA filament sitting in my stash though and when I’m finished making an enclosure for the printer, which is the current project I’m working on, I’ll see how well it prints.

    ASA has the main benefit of UV resistance, increased…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Top-up valve adapter for boston valve in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 3 months ago

    Very cool! If I had a 3D printer I would definitely make one. What kind of plastic did you use?

    I tried to figure out what threads are in the valves, but I wasn’t able to find a match. The same threads are in valves from at least two different sources, so it might be a Boston valve thing.

  • Profile picture of GabC

    GabC started the topic Top-up valve adapter for boston valve in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 3 months ago

    Hi everyone! I designed an adapter for a top-up valve that screws to the secondary threads on the boston valves. The files for 3D printing are available on Prusaprinters. You just need 3/8″ ID vinyl tubing and you can then top up your raft from paddling position without having to weld a top-up valve to the boat.

    The only thing I don’t know is if…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 3 years, 3 months ago

    It’s snowing outside here now and all the lakes and rivers are frozen, so editing this vlog-style video was a nice change of scenery for me. It’s footage from a solo packrafting trip I did last August in […]

  • Profile picture of ruciomena

    ruciomena became a registered member 3 years, 3 months ago

    ruciomena

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  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Floor to tube fabric heat sealing issues in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 3 months ago

    No problem!

    In the meantime, I’ve changed it to bold text and added another bullet to the list.

  • Profile picture of djkizmo

    djkizmo became a registered member 3 years, 3 months ago

    djkizmo

    @djkizmo

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  • Profile picture of drews256

    drews256 became a registered member 3 years, 3 months ago

    drews256

    @drews256

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  • Profile picture of Alex Dartmoor

    Alex Dartmoor became a registered member 3 years, 3 months ago

    Alex Dartmoor

    @alexdartmoor

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  • Profile picture of Sawtooth

    Sawtooth replied to the topic Floor to tube fabric heat sealing issues in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks Matt!
    Yup, it is right beneath the paragraph I quoted! Apparently I needed to keep reading, lol!
    Take care and thanks for the quick response!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Floor to tube fabric heat sealing issues in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 3 months ago

    Don’t worry – that’s normal. It looks like you’re doing a good job. Sorry for the confusion.

    The answer to your question is directly below the text you quoted – it’s even referred to by the asterisk in the quoted section 🙂

    Since switching to the 450 GSM floor fabric, I get this question a lot, so I keep moving the information, thinking “Now…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Sawtooth

    Sawtooth started the topic Floor to tube fabric heat sealing issues in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 3 months ago

    Hello all,

    Been practicing my heat weld techniques for Skeena raft and seem to be having issues with the floor to tube fabric (all the TPU from floor peels off onto tube fabric).  I can get a good weld when just using tube on tube fabric, but for some reason the floor to tube is kicking my butt! Found this on the site:

    If the TPU layers fuse…[Read more]

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  • Removable Spray Deck
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