DIY Packraft | mttgilbert | Activity https://www.diypackraft.com/members/mttgilbert/activity/ Activity feed for mttgilbert. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:50:51 -0700 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 8d5d099962c1c7c1e06a67b824c4cc23 mttgilbert replied to the topic Paddling flatwater with a dog in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/paddling-flatwater-with-a-dog/#post-21235 Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:26:33 -0800 I made the two person for my dog (55lb english lab) and I plus camping gear and I’ve really liked it. There’s plenty of space and weight capacity. I have a closed cell foam piece cut to fit the front of the boat for the dog (simple blue closed-cell sleeping pad, which doubles as the dogs bed in camp).

I was hesitant about the canoe style sea…[Read more]

]]> 0 292afb4d3ed3211cf2c4ab312a74d01f mttgilbert replied to the topic Top-up valve adapter for boston valve in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/top-up-valve-adapter-for-boston-valve/#post-18150 Mon, 31 Jul 2023 01:09:44 -0700 I printed a couple of these (no scaling) and they fit perfectly. I had to dial in the resolution for the threading, but even the rough prints threaded on (they bled just enough air to make it difficult to overcome the valve).

]]> 0 c2ad1a62d6dfc1f59d253ba0e9554824 mttgilbert posted a new activity comment https://www.diypackraft.com/2023/06/29/replacement-spray-deck-coaming-stiffener/comment-page-1/#comment-21416 Fri, 14 Jul 2023 20:26:30 -0700 is there a way to tell between the two batches? I got a kit six months ago and haven’t put it together yet. Should I just to put it together with Pex out of an abundance of caution?

In reply to - Matt (Admin) wrote a new post Replacement Spray Deck Stiffener The DIY Packraft spray decks use flexible plastic tubing to stiffen the rim that the elastic spray skirt fits over (the coaming), and several […] ]]> b28a1b3abd7a406d80f524f24b47b2ef mttgilbert posted a new activity comment https://www.diypackraft.com/2022/10/28/fabric-update/comment-page-1/#comment-19381 Wed, 16 Nov 2022 16:45:15 -0800 Try and not sweat it. I think most of us understand. Thanks for your ongoing efforts! This hobby is growing because of you and that’s something to be proud of! Keep it up.

In reply to - Matt (Admin) wrote a new post Update: December 13 – the fabric is here in BC, it has cleared customs, and all the paperwork is done. Now it awaits transportation to my shop – only a few more days!! More than […] ]]> 56e7b03349e67ef40a09cef40522f64d mttgilbert posted a new activity comment https://www.diypackraft.com/2022/08/04/first-fabric-shipment-arrived/comment-page-1/#comment-19343 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 15:33:09 -0700 No rush, but any update on the second round of new material?

In reply to - Matt (Admin) wrote a new post Updated August 18, 2022 Finally, the first fabric shipment is here! That’s the good news. The bad news is that there isn’t enough fabric here to fulfill all of the pre-orders ( […] ]]> f4a642b36bd8c9d3bfa7e5c741fe50e4 mttgilbert replied to the topic An Inflatable Drybag that fits through your zipper. in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/an-inflatable-drybag-that-fits-through-your-zipper/#post-15865 Thu, 24 Mar 2022 05:30:51 -0700 This looks like a cool idea, I’m going to try and make one. Bruce, if you’re still around, do you have any feedback on the concept after use?

]]> 0 7cd04d84a0e7f8d8e69f1f1f6172f5a3 mttgilbert replied to the topic DIY GTX drysuit in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-gtx-drysuit/#post-15813 Wed, 23 Feb 2022 21:27:50 -0800 I do some sewing as well and am interested in the process for the drysuit. Is your sewing experience more geared towards clothing? I’ve done a little bit, but mostly I’ve sewn gear (sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, etc)

Did you freelance the pattern or use something specific? Also, where did you source your material?

]]> 0 e521d96378db366892dd6f9b25e626ee mttgilbert replied to the topic 2p Raft Seating Alternative in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/2p-raft-seating-alternative/#post-15812 Wed, 23 Feb 2022 21:11:26 -0800 That’s interesting, do you actually sit on the convergence of the two tubes in the stern or is that where you’re wedging the seat? Are you using a traditional kayak paddle or a canoe style paddle?

]]> 0 020d10be2b5e27a90cb4284e98311192 mttgilbert started the topic 2p Raft Seating Alternative in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/2p-raft-seating-alternative/ Wed, 23 Feb 2022 20:21:44 -0800 I’m just a couple tube sections in to my 2p Packraft and I’m thinking about the seats. I know the tubes are taller and that seems to be the basis for the canoe style seat kit that comes with it. I got the 2p model specifically to have a packraft large enough to fit me, my dog, and my pack (maybe a bike too). I will likely never have a paddling…[Read more]

]]> 0 e6d5b16e29598c449513c78f857f3188 mttgilbert replied to the topic Trouble Joining Bow Seam in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/trouble-joining-bow-seam/#post-14809 Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:54:05 -0700 That’s all good with me! I hope it helps

 

Thanks!

]]> 0 de542c14b052eb1f611e8275269253b5 mttgilbert started the topic Seam Sealing in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/seam-sealing/ Sat, 26 Jun 2021 21:20:19 -0700 I’m about to start sealing the seams of my Telkwa. Because of my schedule I’m going to have to do this in shorter sessions over a couple days. Any tips on cleanup and reusing the brush? Should I just put it in a ziplock in the freezer between uses? Is there a solvent that works well on Seam Grip+WP?

]]> 0 29c5b0c63dc85dd0fb937ad4961c7164 mttgilbert replied to the topic Trouble Joining Bow Seam in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/trouble-joining-bow-seam/#post-14795 Sat, 26 Jun 2021 21:10:58 -0700 I made a couple forms that are basically the point on your form pattern isolated into a little handheld piece. This ended up working really well for me and I managed to get the whole bow sealed without any wrinkles to speak of. Thanks for the encouragement and feedback!

Dimensions are in inches, but they’re just estimates, I took a block of wood…[Read more]

]]> 0 06cd76c52d5e98edf0eed5b55ef882d6 mttgilbert replied to the topic Trouble Joining Bow Seam in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/trouble-joining-bow-seam/#post-14792 Fri, 25 Jun 2021 18:54:03 -0700 Ah, clearly reading isn’t my strong suit, but yes. I didn’t want to change the shape of the bow, and while the nose of the form was about the right shape,  I just couldn’t get the fabric on there in a way that it didn’t want to wrinkle where the seam tape was already attached to the tube material.

I’m certain the way you describe works, I think…[Read more]

]]> 0 fb6df2c04e93e3cade546c748b82b9bb mttgilbert replied to the topic Trouble Joining Bow Seam in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/trouble-joining-bow-seam/#post-14774 Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:31:45 -0700 Matt, I watched that video over and over. I tried every bowl I had in my house and a couple I picked up from the thrift store. I’ve been really impressed with your instructions (honestly, this one too, I think this is more of a “me” problem), this time I just couldn’t get it right. I’m going to make some smaller forms and play around on some…[Read more]

]]> 0 4427d774e379959d93a35196a9d87b76 mttgilbert started the topic Trouble Joining Bow Seam in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/trouble-joining-bow-seam/ Thu, 24 Jun 2021 19:18:48 -0700 I’ve watched the videos and damn do you make it look easy on that Telkwa! I have a Skeena and I’m having a lot of trouble with the center seam in front. I did just fine up until where the nose really starts to point. I just can’t seem to get the two edges lined up without creating wrinkles between the tube fabric and reinforcing strip. I’m using…[Read more]

]]> 0 0ac0d47d48c8483ccb14855aa0b610d7 mttgilbert became a registered member https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/4140/ Sat, 05 Jun 2021 16:28:10 -0700 0