DIY Packraft

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    • Instructions – 2-Person Kits
    • 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
      • 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

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), 8 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), 8 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), 8 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), 8 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), 8 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
Uncategorized

Follow DIY Packraft on Instagram

If you’re on Instagram, you can now follow my packrafting adventures! Click the social icon above or search for me at @diypackraft 🙂

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsAugust 11, 2016 ago
DIY Packraft - Alpine Paddling
Uncategorized

Alpine Paddling

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 Read more…

By Matt (Admin), 9 yearsJuly 24, 2016 ago

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Recent Posts
  • Tariffs on DIY Packrafts?
  • New Spray Deck Option
  • Removable Spray Deck
  • Iron Modifications
  • Off-Grid Heat Sealing Irons
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  • Matt (Admin) on Protected: Skeena & Telkwa Assembly – Rear Center Seam
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  • Luke on Apply Sealant to Seam Strips
  • Matt (Admin) on Protected: Skeena & Telkwa Assembly: 2R & 2L