TL;DR: Should DIY Packraft give free stuff to online reviewers like Backpacking Light? I’m the type of person who likes to research the hell out of products before I make a purchase, so I regularly read online reviews and watch review videos, and as a consumer I know how helpful Read more…
Check out the new 816 gram (1.7 pound) DIY Packraft!
These two new fabrics have been added to the shop to replace the older 40D “ultralight” fabrics, and will be used in the long-awaited update to the Ultralight DIY Packraft kits. They are currently only available in yellow (TPU one side) and black (TPU both sides). I’m quite pleased with Read more…
Several months ago I received an email expressing interest in the DIY Packraft kits from TJ Miller, Director of the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation at the University of Alaska Anchorage. TJ had grand plans of getting his senior students to build packrafts and use them on an Read more…
Please note that Nikki and I will be travelling between August 10th and the 24th, so no orders will be fulfilled between those dates. I will have limited internet access so I may also be slow to respond to emails and forum posts. Orders that have already been placed will Read more…
Tim from www.cubenmaker.com recently sent me these pictures of his newest creation, which is version two of his lightweight pontoon katayak! The text below is Tim’s, with only minor editing on my part. Click to enlarge the pictures, and also check out Tim’s website to see several more lightweight boats he Read more…
Here’s a video showing how I make tie-downs for the outside of the packraft. Written instructions with downloadable patterns are posted here. The video shows how I attach them to an existing packraft – if you attach them before making your packraft, you can use the measurements posted here, and Read more…
Adam DiPietro documented the build of this beautiful red and black V3 DIY Packraft, and he sent his pictures and comments to share with everyone! I’ve posted the full report here. Thanks, Adam!
Check out this stowable spray deck that Dom Adcock added to his V3 DIY Packraft! I’ve posted more detailed pictures of the construction process on a dedicated page here. (Photos by Dom, used with permission.) Excellent work, Dom!
Here in the northern hemisphere, summer is getting closer and people are dusting off their paddles and planning trips for the coming months. If you want to meet other packrafters, share stories, and learn from their experiences, check out these events! If you know of another packrafting-related event, post the Read more…
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 up. Until the software is updated with a bug fix, if Read more…
This is just a quick post to let you know that the 210D camouflage fabric is now in stock, so that means there’s nothing left on backorder. Now it’s just a matter of catching up on the orders that were placed on out-of-stock items. Once again, thanks for your patience!
This is just an FYI that I’m making some improvements to the DIY Packraft website behind the scenes, with the goal of making the various pages load faster for you. In theory, this should only improve your browsing experience, but if you encounter any errors (such as content not loading Read more…
I borrowed this book from my local library and I liked it quite a bit, so I thought I’d post a review here in case you’re looking for a paddling book. I might make book reviews an occasional feature of the blog, or I might end up posting them somewhere Read more…
I’ve added a quick video to the inflation bag instructions page. If it helps you, please “like” it on Youtube 🙂
I made a quick video of me making an inflatable seat from a seat kit, to go along with the text+picture instructions. It’s not the current seat with dedicated tie-down points, but the shape and number of baffles is the same. If you watch it, please hit the Like button Read more…
I noticed the FAQ menu was getting a bit long, so I’ve reorganized it to (hopefully) make it easier to navigate. I’m also adding some more content, such as this page I wrote about directional stability, or why packrafts don’t track straight the way sea kayaks do and what you Read more…
The airtight zippers and green fabric have arrived! Camouflage fabric should be here in about a week. There’s a bit of a backlog of orders that were waiting for the zippers – I’ll do my best to get them shipped as quickly as possible, but it might take me a Read more…
Updated March 12 Because DIY Packraft is a very small business with limited funds for purchasing stock, I can’t keep a lot of supplies on hand, so when one person makes an unexpectedly large purchase of something (zippers, for example), it can throw off my inventory planning for the next Read more…
I’ve uploaded a new video showing the V3 DIY Packraft construction process for those who have purchased a kit. The video password is the same as the password for the rest of the instructions. Have a look!
New Boston valves are now in stock! This is a slightly improved design over the previous Boston valves, with stronger plastic loops for keeping the parts together when they’re unscrewed. Best of all, the flange on the new valve is heat sealable, so there’s no need to use glue when Read more…
When I started the DIY Packraft forum, I figured it would help DIY Packrafters to meet new paddling partners and share tips, but I wasn’t prepared for the number of great ideas that would be posted there. In my last blog entry I featured Eliot’s back band and thigh straps, Read more…
Eliot G. kindly sent pictures and descriptions of his spray deck, back band, and thigh straps. I’ve made that into a permanent post here under the How-To menu so it won’t get buried in the blog. I also wrote a page about making a large inflatable drybag for use as Read more…
Hey – just a quick update to let you know that I’m back from my vacation and catching up on emails and orders, so please be patient – the normal 1-3 business days for shipping new orders does not apply.