Took my DIY packraft out for its first outing on Lake Taupo (New Zealand) last week.
I used 210 denier fabric from extemtextil for the tubes and the black 650g/sqm fabric for the floor (TPU coated both sides…seems to work OK, just put baking paper underneath the area you are heat sealing). I agree with all other comments I’ve seen on the forum that the 210 denier extremtextil fabric is difficult to work with (it takes forever to heat seal!!!). I’d just get Matt’s fabric in future, though postage costs from North America to Australia is what put me off doing this originally.
I’ve got a Clover Mini Iron 2, just wrapped some foil around the handle to get it a bit hotter to heat seal more easily (still slow with the extremtextil fabric, but a bit better).
I ended up using Ozone Boston Valves from BrisKites (kite surf bladder repair valves). They’re good though not cheap, but I struggled to find an alternative source of the valves within Australia.
I’ve started putting together the beginnings of a “Cruiser” style spray deck, but have yet to finish.
Thanks to Matt for putting such a great site together.