DIY Packraft

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    • 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
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    • 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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Matt (Admin)

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  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 8 months ago

    Thanks for posting – the pink ukulele makes a great hood ornament!

    Thanks also for the feedback about the seat. This is a common refrain, so I’m in the process of redesigning it to make it easier for people to assemble without leaks.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 8 months ago

    Thanks for the pictures and the details about your experience putting the kits together – it looks like you did a great job!

    I have certainly tried to improve the construction methods and instructions since version 2, so it’s good to know I’m on the right track. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Alternative to airtight zipper in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 8 months ago

    Very interesting – I look forward to reading some reviews to see if it works as advertised!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Trouble sealing seam strip to floor junctions in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 8 months ago

    Hi – one thing to keep in mind is that these areas are invisible on the inflated packraft, so don’t be reluctant to spread the Seam Grip or Aquaseal onto the tube fabric there, as any discoloration will not be noticeable. A thin layer spread wide should do the trick, especially if you have a zipper in your boat and are able to apply it to the…[Read more]

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    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 8 months ago

    I have returned from my 30-day hiking/packrafting trip and I look forward to sharing the details of this fantastic voyage with you, but first I have a large backlog of emails to respond to and plenty of work to […]

    • Profile picture of krstahl
      krstahl replied 4 years, 8 months ago

      I hope your expedition was everything, and more, that you hoped and dreamed it would be!

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 7 months ago

      Good idea – I will try to figure out how to set up a mailing list, and once I do I’ll write a post inviting people to sign up. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Now Closed Until September 4 years, 8 months ago

    Excellent! Thanks, it was great!

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  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 9 months ago

    It looks great! And thanks for the note about the time!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 9 months ago

    I am embarking on a solo packrafting expedition for several weeks. This is the trip I have been dreaming about for many years, and it’s the reason I started making packrafts in the first place, so in a very r […]

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 8 months ago

      Excellent! Thanks, it was great!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 9 months ago

    Beautiful!!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 9 months ago

    This is just a heads up that tomorrow will be my last trip to the post office before I leave for my month-long packrafting trip, so today is your last opportunity to purchase a fabric sample pack, valve, etc. […]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat Sealing Que in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 9 months ago

    Looks good to me!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic TPU orientation in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 9 months ago

    There’s no step in the DIY Packraft kits where that’s required, but in theory you could use a hot air welder.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, July 9: Last Call for Kits 4 years, 9 months ago

    No, sorry: https://www.diypackraft.com/faq/why-no-digital-plans/

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  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 9 months ago

    Thanks for showing us, Christian! Your packrafts look great and it is good to know about the hot air soldering station – your seams look excellent!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Packraft Camping Video 4 years, 9 months ago

    Thanks, Barry – it’s a Zpacks Arc Blast. I plan to post reviews of all of my gear this fall/winter.

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    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic TPU orientation in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 10 months ago

    Sorry for the confusion – I guess I need to make this clearer somewhere (or maybe several somewheres).

    The lighter fabrics (e.g. tube fabrics, seam strips, inflation bag fabric) are coated with TPU on one side only, and the woven fabric is exposed on the other side.

    The heaver fabrics that are used the in packraft floors are coated with TPU on…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Quick review: New 40D Ripstop Fabric 4 years, 10 months ago

    I’m not sure, but regardless, I always recommend purchasing a fabric sample pack so you can compare fabrics directly.

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  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, July 9: Last Call for Kits 4 years, 10 months ago

    Sure! I’ll send you an email.

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  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) commented on the post, July 9: Last Call for Kits 4 years, 10 months ago

    Thanks, Ken!

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  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 10 months ago

    As mentioned in a previous post, I will be away on a packrafting trip for the month of August and so I will not be processing orders during that time. Because it takes a couple of weeks to make a packraft kit, I […]

    • Profile picture of krstahl
      krstahl replied 4 years, 10 months ago

      Have a great trip!

      • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
        Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks, Ken!

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 10 months ago

      Sure! I’ll send you an email.

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 9 months ago

      No, sorry: https://www.diypackraft.com/faq/why-no-digital-plans/

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