Tom F. sent me this video and this link to a forum thread documenting the design and construction of a lightweight fishing float tube (a.k.a. bellyboat or belly boat) using heat sealable fabrics. Unfortunately the designer/builder, an engineer who posted under the name SHigSpeed, has died, but his posts live Read more
Nikki’s parents were visiting over the holiday weekend and they wanted to try out the new packraft, so I took the opportunity to take a few pictures to share. You can see that the weather was much better than the previous weekend! Also, here is a new video of www.cubenmaker.com Read more
For the maiden voyage of the V3 DIY Packraft, Nikki and I spent the weekend visiting some glaciers!
Here are some pictures of the new V3 DIY Packraft. This one is the 120 size, and has a 420D floor (TPU on both sides) and 210D tubes. As it is now, without the top-up valve and tie-downs, the weight is 1635 grams, or 3.6 pounds. The V3 is a Read more
I’ve posted written instructions for assembling the inflation bag kit here. They are text-only, at the moment, but I will add photos and a video soon!
I’ve been working on a new packraft design for some time now, incorporating several improvements over the current V2 kits, including tougher floor material, easier construction, more sizes, and better performance. I might shut down the current V2 kit option in the online shop until the V3 is ready for Read more
Some time ago I posted a page about making your own inflation bag*, and since then several people have asked me to supply parts so they won’t have to spend time and money sourcing them elsewhere. In response, I’ve designed an inflation bag that costs the same as one meter Read more
I’ve just finished writing up instructions for the new seat kits, and they’re posted here!
A number of people have experienced temperature problems with mini irons like the Clover Mini Iron II and the Dritz Petite Press, so I am designing future DIY Packrafts to be easier to make using larger hobby irons like the Coverite Black Baron sealing iron, pictured above. Irons like this Read more
Several people have asked for details about the new ultralight 40D ripstop heat sealable fabric available in the shop. At 100 grams per square meter (3 ounces per square yard), it’s very lightweight and packs down very small (similar to a modern tent fly fabric), but it’s surprisingly strong and Read more
I have just added two new fabrics to the DIY Packraft Shop – 420D with TPU coatings on both sides, and 1000D with extra thick TPU coatings on both sides. These are relatively expensive, heavier fabrics, and because they are coated with TPU on both sides, they cannot be heat Read more
It is not just a dream. After experiencing delays at literally every possible step between order and delivery (totaling almost five months!) the fabric shipment has finally arrived. Yes, friends, I have touched it with my own hands, and let me tell you – it is a wonderful feeling. The Read more
The fabric shipment was finally released from Customs this morning after weeks of radio silence. Randomly or otherwise, they took a special interest in this particular shipment and removed it to an off-site inspection facility where they could poke and prod it with x-rays and sniffer dogs and who knows Read more
Bad news first: Remember when there was that Customs delay last month? Well that was the export Customs office. Now the fabric shipment is in Canada, and here we have our very own Customs officers and apparently they have taken an interest in the shipment too. So much so that Read more
It’s been a while since I uploaded any new pictures or videos, so when I went paddling today my plan was to bring my cameras and get some interesting shots; unfortunately, I managed to forget both my tripod and my GoPro, so I ended up just taking a few photos Read more
That means kits and fabric should start shipping again next week! Again – fingers crossed…
Returning customers will notice that there are now more shipping options available during checkout. These prices are pulled directly from Canada Post’s website and are based on your delivery address and the combined weight of the items in your cart (you must enter your address before the shipping options will Read more
Yesterday I made some changes to the back end of the DIY Packraft shop to make payments easier for people outside the US. The most noticeable change is that now prices can be displayed in your local currency, and you can pay in that currency so you won’t have those Read more
I’m really pleased with all the great content people have been posting on the DIY Packraft Forum. It’s inspiring for me to see the pictures and videos of the packrafts you’ve made, and there are useful tips and ideas being posted there that wouldn’t otherwise be shared. One of the Read more
This is just a quick update to announce that the TIZIP 50 cm SuperSeal airtight zippers are back in stock after a factory delay threw off the timing of my resupply, so they were listed as “backordered” for a little while. Now we’re just waiting for the fabric shipment to Read more
Quincy made this awesome time-lapse video of himself making a DIY Packraft from plans and uncut fabric – 21 hours from start to finish, including a double-layer floor and airtight zipper! This proves you don’t need a fancy workshop to make a DIY Packraft 😀 Well done, Quincy, and thanks Read more
You may have noticed the new valves that are now available in the shop in addition to the Boston valves, top-up valves, and small valves that were already available. These valves pop open and closed with a simple pressure-fit lid instead of a screw-on cap, which may seem undesirable, as Read more
This is just a quick update to let you know that the new fabric shipment is finally moving again after the export Customs issue was resolved. Next stop: import Customs…
Good news – I have just heard from the manufacturer that they have sorted out the Customs mess. Now I am awaiting new tracking information for the shipment…