DIY Packraft

  • Home
  • Gallery
    • Pictures
    • Videos
    • DIY Packraft Customer Build Reports
    • Customer Pictures
  • How-To
    • Heat-Sealing
    • Useful Tools
    • 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!
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • FAQ
  • Forum
    • DIY Packraft Forum
    • Log In
    • Activity Stream
    • Members
    • Register (Create an Account)
    • Lost Password
    • Password Problems
  • About
    • About DIY Packraft
    • Matt’s 30-Day Solo Packrafting Trip
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Join the Mailing List

Matt (Admin)

Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

@admin

Active 1 day, 9 hours ago
  • Activity
  • Profile
  • Friends 23
  • Forums
  • Personal
  • Mentions
  • Favorites
  • Friends
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago

    Wonderful!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Doubeling the width of seam strips? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago

    I’m not familiar with that product so I can’t recommend it. I recommend Seam Grip+WP, Aquaseal, or Aquasure (all made by Gear Aid).

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, The Perfect Ultralight Packrafting Water Shoe 4 years, 1 month ago

    Yeah, I’d love to see a new ultralight drysuit offering, or a DIY kit… if only there were more hours in the day! If you try the Ripstop by the Roll stuff, please tell us how it goes! A while ago I was looking into options and it seemed like the latex neck/wrist/ankle gaskets were hard to come by and expensive, but I made a neck gasket out of TPU…[Read more]

    View Conversation
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago

    Thanks! Beautiful work – I hope to see it in the wild when you’re able to travel north!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic First seams – how to tell if it’s good? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago

    Yep, that sounds about right (see the “Note” about sealing different fabrics together on the Heat Sealing page). You don’t need to join 450 to 450 in any of my designs, so don’t worry about that. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Doubeling the width of seam strips? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago

    I think that would work fine, but I would probably just apply the sealant to the outside of the seams. It looks pretty good (glossy) if you let it cure fully before getting them dirty (if it’s at all tacky it’ll pick up dust).

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, How to Modify Your Order 4 years, 1 month ago

    I will send you an email. In case anyone else wants to do this, here is a link to purchase the zipper separately: https://www.diypackraft.com/shop/merchandise/zipper-merchandise/tizip-superseal-50-cm-airtight-zipper/

    View Conversation
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, How to Modify Your Order 4 years, 1 month ago

    I can sell a kit without the fabric being scored, but I do not have any Ultralight fabric in stock at this time.

    View Conversation
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago

    Awesome! Great bow bag, too! Cheers 😀

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago

    What a beautiful spot for a maiden voyage! Excellent work, and thanks for posting, Barbara!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago

    Beautiful work, Christian – they all look flawless!

    Thanks for the feedback about your experience with the Ultralight fabric, too.

    Happy paddling!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Doubeling the width of seam strips? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi! I’ve increased the seam width in the kits to 30 mm based on customer feedback, but I haven’t tried any wider than that. I think it should be fine to go wider, but only up to a point (because the tubes meet at an angle and the seam strips have to mold to them).

    Also, I’m not sure if you’ve been adding seam sealer to the inside of the seams,…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Packraft Kits Are Available Now 4 years, 1 month ago

    I haven’t experimented with skegs, but there’s some general advice in the last section of this page: https://www.diypackraft.com/faq/tracking-or-directional-stability/

    View Conversation
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Packraft Kits Are Available Now 4 years, 1 month ago

    Great! Yes, the spray deck components just arrived 20 minutes ago 🙂

    View Conversation
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Current Order Processing Times (updated) 4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi Levi – sorry, I don’t currently have any bulk fabric for sale.

    View Conversation
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Current Order Processing Times (updated) 4 years, 2 months ago

    I am not 100% sure there will be enough green, so only do that if you will be happy with a yellow kit in case there is not enough green left, or if you don’t mind paying the non-refundable credit card fees in case you want a refund (about 3.5%).

    View Conversation
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Current Order Processing Times (updated) 4 years, 2 months ago

    I have a limited supply of green fabric right now because I did not receive more in the recent fabric order. After I catch up on the current orders I will likely have enough green left for a few more packraft kits, and I will make them available to order (probably in 2-3 weeks). I will try to remember to email you then. After that fabric is gone,…[Read more]

    View Conversation
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Current Order Processing Times (updated) 4 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry, not at this time.

    View Conversation
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 2 months ago

    Updated March 19, 2021

    After being out of stock for about half a year, a new shipment of packraft fabric arrived in February and I received a large number of orders as soon as I announced the packraft kits […]

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 2 months ago

      Sorry, not at this time.

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 2 months ago

      I have a limited supply of green fabric right now because I did not receive more in the recent fabric order. After I catch up on the current orders I will likely have enough green left for a few more packraft kits, and I will make them available to order (probably in 2-3 weeks). I will try to remember to email you then. After that fabric is gone, I will not have more green fabric for at least several months.

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 2 months ago

      I am not 100% sure there will be enough green, so only do that if you will be happy with a yellow kit in case there is not enough green left, or if you don’t mind paying the non-refundable credit card fees in case you want a refund (about 3.5%).

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 1 month ago

      Hi Levi – sorry, I don’t currently have any bulk fabric for sale.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Instant cure "Aquaseal UV" added to the Shop 4 years, 2 months ago

    Yep, I still recommend it. I’ve stopped selling adhesives because they’re not supposed to go through the mail and they’re not allowed into some countries.

    View Conversation
  • Load More
Cart
Recent Posts
  • Tariffs on DIY Packrafts?
  • New Spray Deck Option
  • Removable Spray Deck
  • Iron Modifications
  • Off-Grid Heat Sealing Irons
Recent Comments
  • Matt (Admin) on Spray Deck Assembly
  • Kenneth on Spray Deck Assembly
  • Matt (Admin) on Spray Deck Assembly
  • Kenneth on Spray Deck Assembly
  • Matt (Admin) on Frequently Asked Questions