DIY Packraft

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    • Heat-Sealing
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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 Conrad

    Conrad replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    Hi Guys,

     

    Im new to this and trying my hardest to understand it all and especially the heating.  Ive heat sealed piece 3 to begin with and it lined up well but the heat has also activated the TPU on the other side o the floor!  Is this major problem or will it be mainly cosmetic?  Will i need to patch it?

    Thanks everyone in advance.

  • Profile picture of Conrad

    Conrad became a registered member 7 years, 10 months ago

    Conrad

    @kaspar

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  • Profile picture of naas

    naas replied to the topic Pure TPU as adhesive in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    I just tried the VHB tape,

    If you clamp it momentaraly between two pieces of wood, it bonds very good to the non coated side.  On the TPU coated side it doen’t stick very well.

  • Profile picture of Paul

    Paul started the topic Ski boots ties in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    Made these ski ties before a trip a few weeks ago, they work pretty well.  at those locations I observed no paddle clearance issues. Getting back in after a non voluntary exit would take some practice.  used the standard lash points on an alpaka, with Para cord tied between them, tied the ski booty ties to the Para cord and then used small “…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Paul

    Paul replied to the topic Pure TPU as adhesive in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    Has anyone tried the 3m VHB tape?  sea to summit sells these self adhesive lash points with 3m tape on them.  apparently this stuff bonds to anything, the smooth surface of packraft fabrics would require some surface prep to increase bond strength.  3m built a scooter using only tape as fasteners

  • Profile picture of Taylor

    Taylor replied to the topic Seat Tie-in tabs in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    I see it now;  thank you Bruce!

  • Profile picture of Bruce

    Bruce replied to the topic Seat Tie-in tabs in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    Taylor,

    Punch holes in the tabs. Here’s another photo, pardon the poor image, but I hope you can see the holes. They are ready for short pieces of cord to tie to matching holes punched in similar tabs in the seat. The goal is to prevent the seat from floating away should you be si-washed in whitewater. Or carrying the raft from the car for that matter.

    Seat tie-in tabs, with holes punched for cord.

  • Profile picture of Taylor

    Taylor replied to the topic Seat Tie-in tabs in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    I can’t quite grasp how this works, Bruce. Where does the parachute cord go?

  • Profile picture of Sorgmunter

    Sorgmunter changed their profile picture 7 years, 10 months ago

    Sorgmunter

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  • Profile picture of Sorgmunter

    Sorgmunter changed their profile picture 7 years, 10 months ago

    Sorgmunter

    @sorgmunter

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  • Profile picture of Sorgmunter

    Sorgmunter became a registered member 7 years, 10 months ago

    Sorgmunter

    @sorgmunter

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  • Profile picture of rtullett

    rtullett replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    Hi  Rodney here from Mercer Island, WA.

    Can’t wait for the V3  kit to arrive.

    Got my iron mostly modified at the tip and rear sides but may need to shape the front sides.

  • Profile picture of mrg

    mrg's profile was updated 7 years, 11 months ago

    mrg

    @mat-glover

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  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 11 months ago

    Note: There is a bug in the forum software that causes some people’s full names to be displayed next to their forum posts, even if they have selected the “Private” option next to the name field when they signed […]

  • Profile picture of Jack Rabbit

    Jack Rabbit replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 11 months ago

    Hello from Finland!

  • Profile picture of Jack Rabbit

    Jack Rabbit became a registered member 7 years, 11 months ago

    Jack Rabbit

    @jarikovanen

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  • Profile picture of Pham

    Pham replied to the topic Cuben Fiber/ Dyneema Fabric Questions for Making Inflatables in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 11 months ago

    Thanks so much Matt for the info

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Cuben Fiber/ Dyneema Fabric Questions for Making Inflatables in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 11 months ago

    Hi Pham,

    Tim at http://www.cubenmaker.com is a great resource for information about Dyneema fabrics.

    I think people usually use tape or sewing+tape to assemble Dyneema, and the problem with using it for inflatables is that the tape creeps over time under pressure (I’ve never tried it myself though).

    Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Pham

    Pham started the topic Cuben Fiber/ Dyneema Fabric Questions for Making Inflatables in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 11 months ago

    Hi all,

    I’ve been using TPU-coated nylon  and TPU-coated kevlar fabrics for making inflatables for a couple of years and was thinking of testing the waters with cuber/dyneema fabric. My work usually involves creating inflatables that inflate and deflate rapidly from 0 to 60 psi.

    I was just wondering if anyone had experience with this fabric in…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Pham

    Pham became a registered member 7 years, 11 months ago

    Pham

    @phnguyen

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