For a video and more up-to-date information on this topic, visit this page. If you’re paddling an ultra-lightweight inflatable packraft in any but the most ideal conditions, it’s almost inevitable that your boat will develop a leak at some point. Fortunately, that is not a big problem, because small leaks Read more…
I will be offering high strength 210D nylon-66 with a thin polyurethane (PU) coating on one side and a thicker, heat sealable polyurethane (TPU) coating on the other side (see Fabrics for definitions), and also a lighter weight 40D (320T) nylon-66, also with TPU and PU coatings. Nylon-66 is the Read more…
Thanks to Barbarix for sending me links to the very cool German-language website, www.ultraleicht-trekking.com (ultralight trekking) and his DIY packraft and paddle posted there. My German comprehension is poor, but thanks to Google Translate, I can understand most of the posts quite well. I know that for the majority of Read more…
If you’re on Instagram, you can now follow my packrafting adventures! Click the social icon above or search for me at @diypackraft 🙂
Yesterday three of us went for a hike in the alpine above the valley where I live, and I brought a packraft in case we felt like going for a paddle. I’m glad I did, because in spite of the cold and rain, it was great fun. We were probably Read more…
I’ve created a new page about inflation bags, here, which will be updated with pictures and a how-to video soonish 🙂
Several people have been asking for more details about the DIY heat sealing iron I am using now, so I wanted to make a quick post today showing some photos of how it’s put together, because I won’t have time to make a video until next week. (Update: video now Read more…
I have been sending DIY Packraft plans all across the world, and I’m so pleased that we are such an international group. Below is an interactive map, indicating all of the countries I have received orders from. If your country is not represented, now is your chance to be the Read more…
Note: That’s a 45 cm (18″) ruler in the picture, not a regular 30 cm (12″) ruler. Today I whipped up a seat prototype – something I’ve been putting off until now – and it turned out remarkably well. It doesn’t have a back rest yet (I’ll try it out Read more…
Now that people are ordering plans and starting to construct their own packrafts, I have created a Facebook page (here) where you can keep up with the latest pictures and videos, and post your own. Just hit the Like button to receive updates in your feed, and please share the Read more…
Today I finished the packraft that I’ve been making in the demo videos, and I’m super excited about it! I think it looks much better than the white prototype, and it’s even lighter, at 641 grams (1.41 pounds)! I’ll post a video soon, but I wanted to post some pictures Read more…
Several of you taller folks have been asking for a packraft that will accommodate your larger bodies better, and I’m happy to announce that I’m ready to ship plans for a packraft that has a cockpit length of about 128 cm (50.5″). I haven’t built one yet, but below are Read more…
Last weekend my friend Derek came for a visit and wanted to try out my DIY packraft. It was a windy day with some chop and even whitecaps on the lake, but he paddled it without difficulty. Just outside the frame of this photo is a kayaker being rescued after Read more…
I’ve just posted a video showing how to bond the curved seams in your DIY Packraft. Have a look and let me know if you have any questions or comments!
The second step in constructing your packraft is joining the pieces of fabric you cut out in step one. In this new video I demonstrate how I use a heat sealing iron to do just that! You can read the text instructions here.
Here’s a video I made from this past weekend’s camping trip. It’s the first time I tried paddling with a passenger and it worked quite well – plenty of freeboard, and very comfortable for both of us!
I’ve just made a new video, which is the first in my instructional series about how to make your own packraft. It also has a couple of clips of me paddling my original homemade packraft in a very rocky, woody creek! Check it out, and feel free to comment:
Note: DIY Packraft is no longer selling packraft plans. In order to reproduce my plans, I looked into various printing options and quickly discovered I would lose money if I stuck to my goal of keeping the price to $20 USD per set. The problem is the size – they’re Read more…
I made this video today to introduce my packraft and some of the techniques and materials I used to make it. Check it out and let me know what you think!
That’s the weight of this packraft prototype. I have far surpassed my goal of keeping it lighter than 1 kg… I’m pumped!
This weekend I went paddling with some friends on a local lake – they in kayaks and canoes, and me in my newly finished DIY packraft prototype #3. I’m happy to report that it performed well and, just as importantly, I finally managed to take some pictures! Here are some Read more…
Sorry I’ve been a bit slow to respond to inquiries – I recently moved to an acreage where I have to set up satellite internet… it should be installed next week. Then I’ll be working on some instructions to go with the plans, including videos, which I’ll post to Youtube, Read more…
Soon I will be posting pictures of my completed DIY packraft prototype and notes about construction techniques and, if people are interested, links to plans and materials. This has been a slow process because I have been making my packraft while also renovating my house and moving to a new Read more…
Until now, the packraft market has been dominated by expensive brands offering a limited range of boats, with few options for customization. Owners complain of flaws in their rafts and boats that are heavier than advertised, but what can they do? With so little competition in the market, there is Read more…