DIY Packraft | Alpo | Activity https://www.diypackraft.com/members/alpo/activity/ Activity feed for Alpo. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:50:51 -0700 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 bd4de10ad07c45b6e7f2cab81ea2073a Alpo replied to the topic DIY inflatable catamaran in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-inflatable-catamaran/#post-18258 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 08:13:15 -0700 Fittings are screw and nut type and will seal well to the fabric, with perhaps a little glue or a rubber gasket. I’ve used those for attaching inflation tubes. Problem is more likely between fitting and crossbraces as it’s not easy to find exactly matching sizes. And perhaps if your fabric is on the thin and flexible side then the hole in the…[Read more]

]]> 0 c861df6e8b857b74403b36f5f43a86df Alpo replied to the topic DIY inflatable catamaran in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-inflatable-catamaran/#post-18205 Thu, 03 Aug 2023 22:49:19 -0700 I’d propose a different construction, though it’s a bit of a heretic idea to make holes in the hull…

Use longer aluminum crossbars and make them go through the whole hull, using plastic boat thru-fittings:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/through-hull-boat-fittings/s?k=through+hull+boat+fittings
I’d imagine if you cut off the unnecessary length in the…[Read more]

]]> 0 c28fcd543937306315fd5d2dc6ac5f35 Alpo replied to the topic Inflation air 'multiplier' in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/inflation-air-multiplier/#post-17869 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:42:24 -0700 “I wonder if aiming a drinking straw at the valve opening and blowing through it would also work.”

It does. I started with various everyday objects. Ballpoint pen barrel was quite ok. The structure above just helps to aim in the middle.

Forgot about the 3D-model: you need to drill the nozzle open to 3-4mm (1/8 – 1/6″).  Print has a rough…[Read more]

]]> 0 a1bb217579d7172c2c098c4c7041e380 Alpo replied to the topic Inflation air 'multiplier' in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/inflation-air-multiplier/#post-17864 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 09:16:28 -0700 STL-files of the nozzles if someone is interested in printing:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JENGRPHTo1_nk3GdEx0I47fs0Hq4R9VT/view?usp=drive_link

The rods connecting the two nozzle parts are cut from the most common 2mm (14 gauge) bicycle spoke. And superglued into the holes of the 3D model

]]> 0 530c54922abc9b874cd00b2deaea68a4 Alpo started the topic Inflation air 'multiplier' in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/inflation-air-multiplier/ Thu, 08 Jun 2023 09:07:00 -0700 Had too much time probably, and I wanted to experiment with phenomenon where higher velocity narrow air stream sucks more ambient air into the stream. Like in e.g. nemo Vortex inflation bags. 3D printed few nozzles:
   
and experimented with inflating a raft (MRS Microraft) with lungs & inflation bag. High velocity stream comes from the small n…[Read more]

]]> 0 f7c4ca5d35b9ab0f0dd64290330339dc Alpo replied to the topic DIY inflatable mattress in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-inflatable-mattress/#post-17053 Fri, 13 Jan 2023 23:33:58 -0800 15 years ago in Lapland (it’s a catamaran with rigid narrow skeleton):
Terbmisjavri 2006

I think catamaran is a good idea and especially if you can make it work with an inflatable frame. One thing to consider: the two bow waves of the hulls can merge to a higher one between the frames and add drag plus get you wet. It helps to toe in the hulls a bit, so that bows…[Read more]

]]> 0 2fd5d5d1fdf6ea19784c0151b8950233 Alpo replied to the topic DIY inflatable mattress in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-inflatable-mattress/#post-17003 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:37:56 -0800 I might have exaggerated the edge shape. you can see the effect in real life in some Thermarest Neoair photos. In your use, the large side pontoons will be more rigid than the mattress and will force the edge to be straight. So I don’t think you need to make changes to the original plan. More baffles and curved edge would just mean more work (and…[Read more]

]]> 0 5a58d1cce46524bc693ce2f912acfc98 Alpo replied to the topic DIY inflatable mattress in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-inflatable-mattress/#post-16995 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 16:35:32 -0800 Howdy,

This is a bit late but yes, I think your measures are good, just note that:
– The width will vary a bit due to baffles bulging. It will be quite a narrow mattress but you know if that’s ok for you.
– end ‘chambers’ will be a bit smaller than the rest if you don’t give them 5cm extra fabric due to the missing baffle fabric

mattress

]]> 0 2220a593a0d537c197d46650fdf3c51a Alpo became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/4631/ Mon, 19 Dec 2022 19:24:08 -0800 0