I did it! I’m offering exactly the same zippers available in the best manufactured packrafts, at a fraction of the cost. In order to get them at a decent price, I had to purchase a large quantity (the story of my life). To help balance the books I have decided Read more
After hiking up our local ski hill yesterday, Nikki and I were rewarded with an exciting ride down!
I just uploaded this video, in which I show the first steps in constructing a DIY Packraft from a kit. The same procedure is used for the new (Version 2) plans, after cutting out the shapes from the fabric. The next videos will be out soon. Text and pictures instructions Read more
I am starting to make my next packraft, and when choosing which colours I wanted to use, I found it helpful to print out several copies of this outline and colour in the different segments with different options so I could see which design I liked best. If you want Read more
I have posted a new video comparing the fabrics I used to make two of my previous packrafts to those that are available in the Shop now. Check it out!
Things have been pretty quiet on the blog lately, and that’s because aside from working at my “real” job I have been working feverishly to finish a new generation of packraft plans, featuring improvements based on my experience constructing and paddling packrafts made from the previously available plans. These new Read more
The fabric is here! Now I am working overtime at my “real” job to pay for it, which leaves me little time to work on the website. I will be sending out an email to notify interested people when the fabric “goes live” in the Shop [available now]. I will Read more
Just a quick update from the Port of Vancouver, where I have come to pick up my first shipment of fabric – it’s currently in “bond”, and I am waiting to clear customs, but with a little luck, I should take possession of the fabric today. The amount of paperwork Read more
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.
