DIY Packraft

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    • Roll-Top Drybag Kit
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    • Attachment Points & Tie-Downs
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    • 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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David

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@davidpepperell

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

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic in the forum DIY Accessories 1 year, 2 months ago

    It looks like my previous response got lost… hmmm 🙁

    Awesome posts! Could you send me a picture or drawing of your changes to the spray skirt? I’m happy to change the design if that would make it more useful. I was also testing a version of your thigh straps here before freeze-up, and a more forward seating position.

    One thing I noticed with…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) started the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 2 months ago

    A place to share pictures, descriptions, and designs of the packrafting accessories you’ve made.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seam Sealing in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 2 months ago

    I’m not aware of anyone having tried this, so if you do, please let us know how it goes. Thanks!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 2 months ago

    That looks like it would work if the temperature specifications are accurate. With its small foot it would be slower than a leather iron. If you try it and it does work, please let us know!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Tips & Tricks in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 5 months ago

    Cool – sounds good!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Tips & Tricks in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 5 months ago

    Thanks, Clay – I use a 360 degree action camera on the end of my trekking pole. The camera captures video of everything around it, and then I frame the shots when I’m editing at home. The trekking pole disappears from the shot because it’s hidden in the stitch line between the camera’s two lenses.

    It takes some experimenting to figure out the…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Oops! in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 5 months ago

    Wow, that’s fantastic! Thanks for the update, and please let us know if it does or doesn’t hold up over time. Cheers

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Oops! in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 5 months ago

    Thanks for the picture and more info. I haven’t heard of anyone trying the Seam Grip trick, but I was going to suggest something similar. At this point, I don’t think you have much to lose, unfortunately. If the Seam Grip doesn’t work, you could also try scraping a bunch of TPU off of some scrap fabric and melting it into the divot (after cleaning…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Oops! in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 5 months ago

    Is the spot you’re describing where bubbles form if you put soapy water on it? I just want to make sure it’s not leaking somewhere else. One full breath every 30 minutes is about 2 ml per second, so the bubbles should be fairly noticeable.

    Would you be able to post a picture? You might be able to carefully shave off a bit of the melted plastic if…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 1 year, 6 months ago

    $200 DIY Packraft Coupon at Charity Auction It’s that time of year again! If you’d like to save some money on a DIY Packraft and give to charity at the same time, you can bid on a $200 ( […]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 6 months ago

    Thanks for posting – the black Atlin looks really cool! You’re ready for some special ops now. I’ve been waffling back and forth about offering black as one of the standard options for the reason you mentioned.

    I’ve made that dinosaur head (haha!) mistake myself, so don’t sweat it. Your boat still looks great!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 6 months ago

    Thanks for posting, Clyde – it looks like you did a great job! And thanks for logging your time and showing the final weight – that’s really useful. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Tips & Tricks in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 6 months ago

    Thanks for posting this! Cheers

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 7 months ago

    I love it!

    The Greek letters remind me of all those physics classes I took…

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 7 months ago

    Great work, Clyde, and thanks for the feedback about your experience! It looks like you have a beautiful playground there for adventures, so enjoy!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Offcuts and Seconds in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 7 months ago

    Hi Eric, now that I’ve gotten rid of the offcuts I had accumulated over several years, the offcuts and seconds are rarely in stock (like only a few units added to the shop every few months).

    There are three reasons, the first being that I include more of the scrap fabric with the packraft kits than I used to, the second being that I have some…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 7 months ago

    Wow, Eric – having done this myself, I know how much work you put into it! Great result – thanks for sharing!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic off topic question- hard cooler in packraft in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 7 months ago

    I can’t really see this as being a problem, but an email to Alpacka might set your mind at ease.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 1 year, 7 months ago

    Beautiful New Packraft Fabric Colors New orange and green packraft tube fabrics (standard weight only). I’m excited to announce that a fabric shipment has arrived with two new […]

    • Profile picture of kdfisher
      kdfisher replied 1 year, 7 months ago

      Those are nice.

    • Profile picture of Christian001
      Christian001 replied 1 year, 3 months ago

      Really nice colors. I think, I should order a new packraft! 🙂

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 7 months ago

    It’s a good question, and one that I can’t answer, but only spam bots are currently banned, so certainty isn’t necessary. If you are a spammer, you will be banned regardless of whether you are human or bot (if there is even a real distinction between the two).

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