DIY Packraft

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    • Instructions – Atlin Kits
    • Instructions – Skeena & Telkwa Kits
    • Instructions – Ultralight Kits
    • Roll-Top Drybag Kit
    • TIZIP Zipper Installation
    • Attachment Points & Tie-Downs
    • Top-Up Valve Installation
    • Thigh Straps Installation
    • Back Band Assembly & Installation
    • Boston Valve Installation
    • Inflation Bag Kit Assembly Instructions
    • Packraft Fishing Rod Holder
    • Find & Repair Leaks
    • Spray Skirt Assembly
    • Spray Deck Assembly
    • Heat Sealing Iron Modifications
    • Pack, Carry, and Store a Packraft
    • Instructions – V3 Kits
    • Instructions – V2 Kits
      • Overview
      • Step 0.5 – Practice Heat Sealing
      • Step 1: Joining Tube Pieces to Floor
      • Step 2: Joining Tube Pieces Together
      • Step 3: Join Completed Tubes to Floor
      • Step 4: Double-Layer Floor or Joint Reinforcement
      • Step 5: Installing a Boston Valve
      • Step 6: Center Seams (last step!)
      • Making an Inflatable Floor
  • Blog
    • All
    • 2025
      • Price Increase Coming
      • Introducing the Skeena XL
      • Tariffs on DIY Packrafts?
      • New Spray Deck Option
      • Removable Spray Deck
      • Iron Modifications
      • Off-Grid Heat Sealing Irons
    • 2024
      • Postal Strike Ended (updated)
      • Postal Strike – Good News
      • FedEx & Purolator Shipping Available
      • How to Buy a Gift Card
      • Fabric For Sale
      • Back Band Assembly Instructions
      • Backband Attach Point How-To
      • Slotted Attachment Point Video
      • Price Reductions!
      • Thigh Straps Available Now
      • Inflation Bag or Electric Pump?
      • Opie’s 2-Person Packraft Build Report
      • New Inflation Bag Assembly Instructions
      • New Heat Sealing Iron
      • Zach Schiada’s Telkwa Build Report
      • Video: The Fabrics
      • The first orange DIY Packraft
      • Inflation Bag Boston Valve Adapter
    • 2023
      • $200 DIY Packraft Coupon at Charity Auction
      • Beautiful New Packraft Fabric Colors
      • Replacement Spray Deck Stiffener
      • New Heat Sealing Video
      • Packrafting Safety
      • New Type of Airtight Zipper
      • Drybag Kits Now Available
      • Heat Sealing Forms For Sale
      • Bikerafting Gear & Tips
      • Customer Tips & Build Reports
      • New Payment Methods
      • Save $20 on a Skeena Kit
      • New Year, New Packraft Models?
    • 2022
      • All Kits are In Stock
      • Fabric Update (Dec. 13)
      • Hurry! $200 DIY Packraft Coupon Charity Auction
      • Ultralight Packraft Kits In Stock
      • An Online Packrafting Course
      • First Fabric Shipment Arrived!
      • Fabric Status Update
      • Packraft Trip Video
      • Pre-Orders Available
      • Packraft Kit Pre-Orders?
    • 2021
      • Only a Few Kits Left
      • State of Emergency – Possible Shipping Delay
      • $200 DIY Packraft Coupon Charity Auction
      • Customer Build Report
      • Current Order Processing Times (updated)
      • How to Modify Your Order
      • Packraft Kit Availability Update
      • Online Packrafting Clinic
    • 2020
      • My Month-Long Packrafting Trip
      • Get Email Updates
      • I’m Back/Fabric Delay
      • Now Closed Until September
      • Today: Last Day to Shop ’til September
      • July 9: Last Call for Kits
      • Packraft Camping Video
      • DIY Packraft Closed for ~August
      • Video: How to Roll, Carry, and Store a Packraft
      • Packrafting Paddles & PFDs
      • Pandemic Update/FAQ
      • Bulk Fabric Sales Suspended
      • Notice: Colored Seats
      • Postal Service Suspended to 60 Countries
      • Coronavirus & DIY Packraft
      • New Packraft Floor Fabric
      • Ken’s DIY Packraft Fleet & Telkwa Build Report
    • 2019
      • How to Choose a Packraft (not just DIY)
      • $200 Coupon in Online Charity Auction
      • Backcountry Meal Planning
      • Spray Deck & Spray Skirt
      • A DIY Packraft Logo?
      • Book Review: Packrafting, by Molly Absolon
      • Book Review: A Long Trek Home
      • Convert a Kayak Paddle to a Packraft Paddle & Trekking Pole
      • The Perfect Ultralight Packrafting Water Shoe
      • Packraft Weight Capacity
      • First Look: Skeena
      • Website Redesign in Progress
      • New Video: Iron Temperature & Timing
      • Iron Modification Video
      • Success! New packrafts tested.
      • Surprise: Another New DIY Packraft Model
      • The Silicone Roller: my new favorite tool
      • Packraft Fishing Rod Holder
      • More 2-Person DIY Packraft Pictures
      • First Look: Updated 2-Person DIY Packraft
      • Ken’s DIY Packraft Build Report
      • The Online Review Economy
    • 2018
      • New Ultralight DIY Packraft – First Look
      • Two new fabrics in the shop
      • 14 Day Alaska Group Trip
      • Travel Notice: August 10-24
      • Tim’s Pontoon Kayak, Version 2
      • Tie-Down Video Posted
      • Convertible Spray Deck
      • Packrafting Events, 2018
      • Privacy
      • Camouflage Fabric in Stock
      • Website Speed Maintenance
      • Book Review: The Wilderness Paddler’s Handbook
      • Inflation Bag Video
      • New Seat Construction Video
      • FAQ Reorganized, New Content
      • Zippers & Green Fabric Back In Stock
      • Backordered Products Resupply Timing Estimates
      • New V3 Assembly Video (password protected)
      • Heat Sealable Boston Valves in Stock
      • Backordered Products Resupply Timing Estimates
      • Iron Modifications (more Forum gold)
      • Whitewater Fittings, a Packraft “Trailer,” and More
      • Back from Vacation
    • 2017
      • New Paddling Video
      • The DIY Packraft Kit Tester program
      • Holiday Notice
      • A Few New Videos
      • Another Improved Tie-Down
      • Bruce’s Voyageur 2-Person DIY Packraft – First Float!
      • Overseas? Save money by using a “freight forwarder”
      • V3 Kits Now Shipping!
      • How Fast is a Packraft?
      • V3 DIY Packrafts will start shipping early October
      • Lightweight Fishing Float Tube
      • More photos of the new V3 DIY Packraft
      • Paddling the V3 DIY Packraft
      • First Pictures of the new V3 DIY Packraft
      • Inflation bag kit instructions posted
      • New DIY Packraft Design Available Soon (and a small rant)
      • Inflation Bag Now Available as a Kit
      • New Seat Kit Instructions Posted
      • Review: Model Airplane Heat Sealing Irons
      • Quick review: New 40D Ripstop Fabric
      • Two New Fabrics Added to Shop
      • Fabric is Here! Actually and in Reality!
      • Fabric Shipment Update
      • Good News/Bad News
      • A Few Photos
      • 10% off Coupon Code for Group Orders
      • Another Fabric Shipment Update
      • New Shipping Options, Free Shipping Code
      • Now Using “Stripe” and Supporting Multiple Currencies in the Shop
      • Forum Spam – Private Messaging Disabled
      • Another *%#@ Fabric Delay!
      • Airtight zippers are back in stock
      • Time-Lapse Video of DIY Packraft Construction
      • Alternative lightweight inflation valves
      • Fabric Shipment Update 4
      • Fabric Shipment Update 3
      • Spray Deck Plans (V2)
      • New Fabric Update 2
      • Update: New Fabric
      • DIY 5-Piece Carbon Paddle
      • Inflatable Floor Guidelines
      • Improved Top-Up Valves in Stock
      • Tim’s Pontoon Boat
      • A few Multi-Color Kits Left (until resupply)
      • Field Repair Tape added to Shop
      • New Spray Deck (Pictures!)
      • Crowd Sourcing Green
      • Aquaseal and Seam Grip added to Shop
      • New Option: Self-Bailing and/or Inflatable Floor
      • Video – Finding & Fixing Leaks
      • Photos – Vancouver Island Paddling
      • TIZIP Airtight Zippers now in Stock
      • Video – Tomi testing his new DIY Packraft
    • 2016
      • Airtight zipper installation instructions posted
      • New Forum Added to Site!
      • Kit Instructions Finished!
      • New How-To Video
      • Second Instruction Video for Kits
      • Review: $25 Heat-Sealing Iron
      • Making Tie-Downs: Instructions Posted
      • Airtight Zippers Pre-Order Sale!
      • “Whitewater” Packrafting – Just for Fun
      • First Instruction Video for Kits
      • Colour Choosing
      • Video Showing How Plans & Kits Work
      • Fabric Comparison Video
      • New Plans Shipping Now
      • Update on Fabric, Kits, New Valves
      • Punctures, Leaks, & Repairs
      • Fabrics Coming to the Shop (Updated August 23)
      • Google Translate & a DIY carbon fiber paddle
      • Follow DIY Packraft on Instagram
      • Alpine Paddling
      • Inflation Bag
      • DIY Heat Sealing Iron
      • The DIY Packraft World Map
      • New Seat Design
      • New Facebook Page
      • Yellow Packraft Finished!
      • New Larger Packraft Plans!
      • Buoyant and Stable!
      • New How-To Video Posted: Joining Curved Seams
      • New How-To Video: Joining Side Pieces
      • Lake Paddling & 2-Person Test Video
      • New Video Up – Tracing and Cutting Your Fabric
      • Plans Available Now
      • DIY Packraft intro Video
      • 813 grams (1.79 pounds)!
      • DIY Packraft Pictures and Details
      • Plans Available Soon
      • Update
    • 2015
      • Coming in 2016!
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Blog

Uncategorized

New Option: Self-Bailing and/or Inflatable Floor

Several people have asked if it would be possible to make a self-bailing or inflatable floor using the double-layer floor option, and I have finished retrofitting my multi-colored packraft with an inflatable floor in just this way. The inflatable floor Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsJanuary 26, 2017 ago
Uncategorized

Video – Finding & Fixing Leaks

I just posted this new video to go along with the page I wrote about fixing leaks, which you can read here: Punctures, Leaks, and Repairs.

By Matt (Admin), 9 years ago
Uncategorized

Photos – Vancouver Island Paddling

One nice thing about a packraft is that you can toss it in your luggage when you go travelling and then go paddling at your destination without having to rent a boat. That’s what I did this Christmas, when I Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 years ago
Uncategorized

TIZIP Airtight Zippers now in Stock

Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered the TIZIP SuperSeal zippers! First there was a delay at the factory in Germany, and then the shipping took longer than usual because of the holidays, but I finally got the zippers from UPS yesterday Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 years ago
Uncategorized

Video – Tomi testing his completed DIY Packraft

@tomi made this funny video of the first test of his packraft made from the DIY Packraft plans! Excellent work! You can ask @tomi about his experience by joining the forum!

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsJanuary 1, 2017 ago
Uncategorized

Airtight zipper installation instructions posted

Check out the new instructions for installing the TIZIP SuperSeal airtight zipper in your packraft here 🙂

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsDecember 15, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

New Forum Added to Site!

I get a lot of emails from people with questions, tips, pictures, and requests, and for some time now I’ve been thinking I should add a forum or social networking platform to the website so others can benefit from our Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsDecember 13, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Kit Instructions Finished!

As many of you have noticed, the new Version 2 plans and DIY Packraft Kit instructions are complete, including videos, text, and pictures. You can find them in the How-To menu above. Here’s the packraft I completed while making the Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsDecember 5, 2016 ago
Education

New How-To Video

I’ve just uploaded the latest how-to video. Text+picture instructions are posted here 🙂  

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsNovember 28, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Second Instruction Video for Kits

I have just uploaded this second instruction video for the kits and V2 plans. Enjoy! Text+picture instructions are posted here.

By Matt (Admin), 9 years ago
Uncategorized

Review: $25 Heat-Sealing Iron

This heat sealing iron arrived in my mailbox today, and I’m really happy with it! Click here to read my review. Note: This is a post from 2016. See the current iron recommendations here. 

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsNovember 23, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Making Tie-Downs: Instructions Posted

Here’s the newest how-to video – I’ve posted text+pictures instructions here 🙂

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsNovember 21, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Airtight Zippers Pre-Order Sale!

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 Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 years ago
Uncategorized

“Whitewater” Packrafting – Just for Fun

  After hiking up our local ski hill yesterday, Nikki and I were rewarded with an exciting ride down!

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsNovember 12, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

First Instruction Video for Kits

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 Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsNovember 9, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Colour Choosing

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 Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsNovember 2, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Video Showing How Plans & Kits Work

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsOctober 27, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Fabric Comparison Video

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!

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsOctober 22, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

New Plans Shipping Now

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 Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsOctober 20, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Update on Fabric, Kits, New Valves

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 Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsSeptember 29, 2016 ago
Container Ships
Uncategorized

Vancouver

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 Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsSeptember 15, 2016 ago
DIY Packraft
Uncategorized

Punctures, Leaks, & Repairs

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. Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsAugust 24, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Fabrics Coming to the Shop (Updated August 23)

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) Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsAugust 23, 2016 ago
Uncategorized

Google Translate & a DIY carbon fiber paddle

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 Read more

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsAugust 15, 2016 ago

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Recent Posts
  • Tariff Info for US Customers
  • Postal Strike (Updated Oct. 14)
  • Introducing the Skeena XL
  • Tariffs on DIY Packrafts?
  • New Spray Deck Option
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  • Matt (Admin) on Punctures, Leaks, & Repairs
  • Trailblazer on Punctures, Leaks, & Repairs
  • adam on Back Band Assembly & Installation
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