DIY Packraft

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    • 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
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    • 2025
      • Price Increase Coming
      • Introducing the Skeena XL
      • 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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José

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@studio67

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

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Finished my V3! in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 8 months ago

    Beauty!! Thanks for the pictures and the tips! Do you mind if I use them elsewhere on the site?

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 8 months ago

    I’ve uploaded a new video showing the V3 DIY Packraft construction process for those who have purchased a kit. The video password is the same as the password for the rest of the instructions. Have a look!

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 7 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks, Mark – I’m glad it’s helpful!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seamgrip vs Aquaseal in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 8 months ago

    Hi @stevoggo – I checked the MSDS for Aquaseal and it looks like the main ingredient is 4,4′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate, with toluene as a solvent. Shoe Goo is tetrachloroethylene and styrene, 1,3-butadiene polymer. So, not the same thing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t work just as well – the only way to know for sure would be to…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 8 months ago

    New Boston valves are now in stock! This is a slightly improved design over the previous Boston valves, with stronger plastic loops for keeping the parts together when they’re unscrewed. Best of all, the flange on […]

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

      Hello – if you want to purchase fabric you can do so on the Shop webpage. Thanks!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Hot air gun full report in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 8 months ago

    Hi Lyn, thanks for posting this report and especially the video – it’s very helpful seeing your technique in action! I imagine it must have taken quite a bit of trial and error to arrive at such a slick method – thanks for persevering and sharing what you learned. I tried using a larger pistol-style hot air gun, myself, and quickly gave up on it…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 8 months ago

    Updated March 12

    Because DIY Packraft is a very small business with limited funds for purchasing stock, I can’t keep a lot of supplies on hand, so when one person makes an unexpectedly large purchase of […]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 8 months ago

    Hi Lewis, thanks for your interest in the packrafts!

    I’m not aware of anyone making a traditional multi-chamber inflatable from one of my designs yet, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. It’s a bit more work to seal off different sections of the tubes, but it can be done. If you cut the side tube in half and add an extra-wide seam there, you’ll…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 8 months ago

    When I started the DIY Packraft forum, I figured it would help DIY Packrafters to meet new paddling partners and share tips, but I wasn’t prepared for the number of great ideas that would be posted there.

    In my […]

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

      Hi Sabien, please click the Register link under the Forum menu above to create an account, then you can make a post under the Heat Sealing Tools topic here: https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/
      Thanks!

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

      I can’t see a problem from my end – please send me a message through the contact page and we’ll get it sorted. Thanks!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Valve hack in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 8 months ago

    I haven’t tried it myself, but can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t work for a small volume inflatable.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Other Inflatable Projects in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 8 months ago

    Hi Veets, I’m not sure of the failure pressure of the materials, but it would probably depend on how you design the seams and would take some experimentation to get right. They can be made rigid, but I’ve never made anything as small as 1″ thick.

    Note that cargo holds on most airliners are pressurized, but some smaller regional aircraft have rear…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 8 months ago

    This is outstanding, Bruce! I never thought to file the iron to the shape I want.  If it’s alright with you, I’d like to post this under the How-To menu (with full credit to you) so it won’t get buried in the forum over time. Thanks for posting!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 8 months ago

    Eliot G. kindly sent pictures and descriptions of his spray deck, back band, and thigh straps. I’ve made that into a permanent post here under the How-To menu so it won’t get buried in the blog.

    I also […]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 9 months ago

    This is awesome!

    If you have more pictures and details about your outfitting, I’d love to do a blog post about it because lots of people will be interested in the thigh straps and back band.

    Great work, and thanks for posting!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 9 months ago

    Hey – just a quick update to let you know that I’m back from my vacation and catching up on emails and orders, so please be patient – the normal 1-3 business days for shipping new orders does not apply.

    • Profile picture of ksrh
      ksrh replied 7 years, 9 months ago

      hi matt, just would like to confirm my order with you as I received my boa bill yesterday. I realize you are not a robot and would just like to be reassured. thank-you.

      • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
        Matt (Admin) replied 7 years, 9 months ago

        Hi Sigrid – yes, your order has already shipped. Please check your Spam folder if you did not receive a shipment notification and tracking info from Canada Post. Thanks!

    • Profile picture of rami.feghali
      rami.feghali replied 7 years, 8 months ago

      Hi Matt, my order made on February 1, 2018 is still “Processing”. This is the first time I place an order and I was wondering if this is normal. Thank you

      • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
        Matt (Admin) replied 7 years, 8 months ago

        Yep – please see the banner at the top of the website indicating a 1-2 week wait time for new orders. Thanks!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 9 months ago

    Hi Logan,

    Sorry for the delay – I’m currently traveling with limited access to the forum.

    It’s not uncommon to have some misalignment but this amount seems like a lot. It looks like your piece 2 might be a bit wrinkled where it’s attached to the floor, which may account for it – make sure to keep the pieces flat and tight when sealing. Can you s…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 10 months ago

    I haven’t made many paddling videos this year, so I thought it might be fun to post a montage of video clips from some of my packrafting adventures in 2017. I couldn’t find any decent royalty-free music, so please […]

    • Profile picture of Kwok Wah Lai
      Kwok Wah Lai replied 7 years, 10 months ago

      Great ! Love it…

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    This is awesome – thanks for sharing!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 10 months ago

    Nikki and I will be taking a much-needed holiday between December 25 and January 20, so any orders received between those dates will be shipped after we return. I will do my best to fulfill orders received before […]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Built a packraft out of a tarp in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    Cool!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Whitewater Capabilities in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 10 months ago

    Hi Daniel, there are some whitewater pictures you might enjoy in the Pictures topic thread. I’m not much of a whitewater paddler yet myself, so I’ll leave the comments to others. Cheers!

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Recent Posts
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  • Postal Strike (Updated Oct. 14)
  • Introducing the Skeena XL
  • Tariffs on DIY Packrafts?
  • New Spray Deck Option
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