Matt (Admin)

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

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

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

Many of you have been waiting for the new fabric shipment to arrive – thank you for your patience! The shipment is now “in transit”. I originally gave what I thought was a conservative estimate of when the fabric would arrive (late March or early April), based on promises I Read more

Have a look at this beautiful 5-piece DIY carbon fiber packraft paddle made by Andreas H. – pretty good for a first attempt, I’d say! It’s made from 20×18 and 18×16 millimeter carbon fiber tubing and 1 mm carbon fiber sheet glued with cyanoacrylate (“super”) glue and epoxy, and held Read more

I’ve posted some guidelines here for people who would like to make an inflatable floor. My standard video+picture instructions aren’t up yet because I’m in the middle of moving to a new house, so if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask. My response time is slower than usual because of Read more

Check out the new top-up valves now in stock in the DIY Packraft shop. They’re lighter, more flexible, prettier, and cheaper than the older top-up valves – basically better in every way! They can also be extended to any length by adding flexible tubing between the valve and the flange. Read more

Check out the pontoon boat my friend Tim of www.cubenmaker.com is making with the 210D heat sealable fabric! And guess what the weight is – only 11 lbs (5 kg) as tested, and probably closer to 13 lbs (5.9 kg) when finished. Tim has offered to send patterns and detailed Read more