If you like the idea of having a spray deck on your packraft – but only sometimes – then you should definitely check out the clever design by DIY Packraft maker Muriel Chahine, who carefully documented her build process and graciously allowed me to post it on a dedicated instructions Read more…
I’ll admit I was skeptical when forum member @oldcanuck first emailed to say he was planning to try powering his fabric welding iron the old-fashioned way, using his wood stove. He assured me that there’s an area on the stove that maintains a consistent 210-220° C though, and I had Read more…
If you’d like to give the gift of packrafting to someone special this holiday season but you don’t know exactly what they’d like, consider giving them a gift card to use in the DIY Packraft shop! To purchase a virtual gift card (a coupon code), simply use the Special Order Read more…
I’m excited to announce that all the standard weight single-person DIY Packraft kits (Skeena, Telkwa, Atlin, etc.) now include parts for making a back band. Compared to a simple backrest cushion, a back band moves your seating position forward to better balance the packraft, and it also helps you sit Read more…
Reclining against a packraft’s rear tubes is comfortable, but for whitewater paddling you’ll want to sit in a more forward and upright position. A backband makes that possible. This new video shows how to make and install attachment points for a backband out of fabric and a couple of ladder Read more…
I use this type of attachment point to secure the thigh straps to my packrafts, and because they’re low profile and only weigh 3 grams (0.1 oz), they’re a good option for securing things to your spray deck, behind your backrest, and in many other areas.
As part of my ongoing effort to improve the DIY Packraft instructions, I’ve completely remade the inflation bag assembly instructions video and webpage. Hopefully the changes will make it easy for you to understand how to put the parts together. As always, I’d love to know what you think!
Evan Rodgers emailed to show me this simple and ingenious method of using a second Boston valve to create an inflation bag adapter that screws into the packraft’s Boston valve. Great idea! Thanks for sharing, Evan! Here’s what Evan wrote: I recently ordered an extra Boston valve to test out Read more…
As part of my effort to continuously improve the DIY Packraft instructions, I’ve made a new, more comprehensive video about heat sealing. It’s pretty long, but it’s everything you need to know, all in one place, and my hope is that even experienced DIY Packraft builders will learn something useful Read more…
While doing some research for an upcoming packrafting trip, I came across a very useful resource that I’d like to bring to your attention. It’s a concise 38-page PDF called Backpacking Food: Recipes, Rations, Stoves & Storage, written by legendary long-distance backpacker/ultrarunner/explorer Andrew Skurka (named “Adventurer of the Year” by Read more…
Note: I’m not recommending that you buy an expensive carbon paddle and then cut it up to make a packrafting paddle – if you’re purchasing a new paddle then you can probably find a 4-piece paddle that suits your budget – but if you already own a 2-piece paddle, or Read more…
I’ve just made a new video that shows what to look for (and what to avoid!) when setting the temperature on your heat sealing iron, and how to tell how long you need to iron two pieces of fabric together to create a strong bond between them. Together, temperature and Read more…
The “leather iron” from www.aliexpress.com is my preferred iron for assembling DIY Packraft kits. It’s hot enough, it maintains a consistent temperature, it’s robustly built, it’s the right width for heat sealing the packraft’s seams, and it’s affordable. It’s not perfect out of the box, however, so I made this Read more…
When heat sealing TPU coated fabrics together, it’s important to apply pressure to the fabric as it cools, otherwise it tends to buckle and lift before it forms a strong bond, so you end up with bubbles and weak or leaky areas. I used to use a leather glove or Read more…
Update: Gustav’s detailed fabrication instructions are posted here! If you’ve ever tried fishing from a packraft, you know that it’s nearly impossible to hold a fishing rod and paddle at the same time. Gustav K. has come up with an ingenious solution to this problem – a lightweight and flexible Read more…
Here’s a video showing how I make tie-downs for the outside of the packraft. Written instructions with downloadable patterns are posted here. The video shows how I attach them to an existing packraft – if you attach them before making your packraft, you can use the measurements posted here, and Read more…
I’ve added a quick video to the inflation bag instructions page. If it helps you, please “like” it on Youtube 🙂
I made a quick video of me making an inflatable seat from a seat kit, to go along with the text+picture instructions. It’s not the current seat with dedicated tie-down points, but the shape and number of baffles is the same. If you watch it, please hit the Like button Read more…
I’ve uploaded a new video showing the V3 DIY Packraft construction process for those who have purchased a kit. The video password is the same as the password for the rest of the instructions. Have a look!