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 faceted hull gives it a stable edge that you can lean into with confidence. Compared to the Skeena and Telkwa models, the Chilko has larger Read more
Updated March 16, 2026 As a Canadian eCommerce retailer, I want you to know that depending on what you order, the Trump administration’s tariff policies may affect your order. Items certified as manufactured in North America, such as DIY Packraft kits, are exempt from tariffs (you will not have to Read more
It’s that time of year again! If you’d like to save some money on a DIY Packraft order and give to charity at the same time, you can bid on a $250 (CAD) DIY Packraft coupon at my local Rotary Club’s annual online auction. At the time I write this, Read more
The MasterSeal airtight zippers are back in stock! The MasterSeal and SuperSeal zippers are made by TIZIP, the world leader in airtight zippers, and both are excellent products. The SuperSeal has been used in packrafts for many years, but the MasterSeal is easier to install and operate, and this newer Read more
The Canada Post workers strike has changed from a total nationwide strike to a partial rolling strike, so the postal system is now functioning again, but slowly. Delivery dates are not guaranteed and you should expect delays with the following shipping options: Free Shipping for fabric samples, Xpresspost, Expedited Parcel, Read more
Until now, big and tall people haven’t fit well in a DIY Packraft, but that problem has been solved with the new Skeena XL, which I designed for Kenneth Dagfinrud, who had previously made three other DIY Packrafts for himself and his family and was looking for one that would Read more
Just a quick note for Americans wondering if the constantly-changing tariff regime will affect their DIY Packraft purchase: In the nine years I’ve been in business, none of my US-based customers has ever reported having to pay a tariff when they receive a parcel from me, and I have never Read more
To accommodate the back bands and thigh straps that are now included with the Atlin, Skeena, and Telkwa packraft kits, I’ve added a new option to the spray deck kits. If you choose a “Whitewater” deck, the cockpit opening will be moved forward 16.5 cm (~6.5″) compared to the original Read more
If you like the idea of having a spray deck on your packraft – but only sometimes – then you should definitely check out the clever design by DIY Packraft maker Muriel Chahine, who carefully documented her build process and graciously allowed me to post it on a dedicated instructions Read more
Michael from Hamburg, Germany, emailed to show me how he cleverly modified his heat sealing iron by replacing the rounded aluminum foot with interchangeable feet he fabricated out of scrap aluminum. Well done, Michael! This is the type of DIY genius that needs to be shared. If you have some Read more
I’ll admit I was skeptical when forum member @oldcanuck first emailed to say he was planning to try powering his fabric welding iron the old-fashioned way, using his wood stove. He assured me that there’s an area on the stove that maintains a consistent 210-220° C though, and I had Read more
Canada Post is back to work now, and all of your orders are on their way to you. Let’s hope there aren’t too many delays as they try to catch up during the busiest time of the year! If you’re placing a new order, you’ll notice that the Canada Post Read more
As the Canada Post workers strike drags on, I’m working to add new shipping options to the DIY Packraft shop. FedEx has been working for a while now, and the newest one is called Purolator. It’s a private courier company that delivers worldwide and is usually less expensive than FedEx. Read more
If you’d like to give the gift of packrafting to someone special this holiday season but you don’t know exactly what they’d like, consider giving them a gift card to use in the DIY Packraft shop! To purchase a virtual gift card (a coupon code), simply use the Special Order Read more
It’s been a long time since I sold any bulk fabric in the DIY Packraft shop (five years?!), so this is a bit of an experiment and I’m not sure how long it will last, but I have plenty of inventory right now so I thought I’d see if people Read more
I’m excited to announce that all the standard weight single-person DIY Packraft kits (Skeena, Telkwa, Atlin, etc.) now include parts for making a back band. Compared to a simple backrest cushion, a back band moves your seating position forward to better balance the packraft, and it also helps you sit Read more
Reclining against a packraft’s rear tubes is comfortable, but for whitewater paddling you’ll want to sit in a more forward and upright position. A backband makes that possible. This new video shows how to make and install attachment points for a backband out of fabric and a couple of ladder Read more
I use this type of attachment point to secure the thigh straps to my packrafts, and because they’re low profile and only weigh 3 grams (0.1 oz), they’re a good option for securing things to your spray deck, behind your backrest, and in many other areas.
Just a quick post to let you know that as of now, all the DIY Packraft kit prices have been reduced! With everything else in life getting more expensive, I hope this comes as a welcome surprise. Check them out in the shop!
After many iterations, I’ve come up with a thigh strap design that works well, is comfortable, and has an installed weight of only 130 grams (4.6 ounces) including the attachment points. From now on, a set of thigh straps will be included with every Skeena, Atlin, and Telkwa kit. If Read more
I’ve always used an inflation bag to inflate my packrafts, but I keep seeing people mention that they prefer to use a little portable electric pump, so I decided to buy one and try it out myself. Using the pump is definitely faster and more convenient in many situations, but Read more
Due to its size, the 2-Person model is the most time-consuming DIY Packraft to build, and the most challenging model for a first-time builder. As you can see, however, forum member “Opie” did a great job on his! Opie posted details of his 2-Person DIY Packraft build on the DIY Read more
As part of my ongoing effort to improve the DIY Packraft instructions, I’ve completely remade the inflation bag assembly instructions video and webpage. Hopefully the changes will make it easy for you to understand how to put the parts together. As always, I’d love to know what you think!
This iron from Aliexpress was recommended by Bruce Campbell of Fairbanks, Alaska – a man of many great ideas! I bought one to try it out for myself, and I agree that it’s the best iron I’ve used for heat sealing the DIY Packraft fabrics (with one caveat). I’m not Read more