DIY Packraft

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    • Heat-Sealing
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    • Instructions – 2-Person Kits
    • Instructions – Atlin Kits
    • Instructions – Skeena & Telkwa Kits
    • 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
  • Blog
    • All
    • 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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Tristan

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@thigbee

Active 8 years, 1 month ago
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  • 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 4 years, 10 months ago

    Indeed!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

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

    There are lots of packrafting videos online, but most of them focus on the paddling and don’t show much of the hiking and camping part. I prefer videos that have a bit of a story to them, so I decided to try […]

    • Profile picture of Christian001
      Christian001 replied 4 years, 10 months ago

      I really like that video. Great pictures and good music and I’m with you, I also like this mixture of backpacking, nature and water. You have an awesome backyard!

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

        Thanks! Yeah, I moved away from the city four years ago and I am very happy here 😀

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 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.

  • 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 4 years, 10 months ago

    Welcome to the forum! You might find this post useful: https://www.diypackraft.com/2017/09/08/lightweight-fishing-float-tube/

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

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

    Thanks to everyone who has supported DIY Packraft over the years!

    I will be embarking on a solo packrafting expedition for several weeks later this summer. This is the trip I have been dreaming about for many […]

    • Profile picture of Christian001
      Christian001 replied 4 years, 10 months ago

      Wish you a very enjoyable and safe trip. Please tell us more about your route! Would love to do something similiar in the future.

      My Twelka and Two-Person packrafts are nearly finished (will post pictures when they are). I love to build these, so I’m eagerly looking forward to order two more kits (Skeena and Ultralight) in september.

      Christian

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

        Thanks, Christian! I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying the builds! I will be posting lots of info about the route after I’m done, including maps, videos, gear lists, etc.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Self bailers: water line and water level? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 11 months ago

    Holes in the floor will lower the waterline somewhat. The amount will depend on a few factors, such as packraft model/size, paddler weight, and weight of gear carried. The best way to find out is to make a small hole in the packraft’s floor (where you plan to place one of the drain holes), load up the packraft with your typical gear, and then sit…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 11 months ago

    Since the start of the pandemic, I have noticed it is taking much longer for Aliexpress parcels to arrive from China… hopefully this will improve as countries recover.

    I’m not sure if this ships from the UK or China, but this appears to be the same type of leather iron, here on Amazon UK:…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 11 months ago

    Beautiful!

  • 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 4 years, 11 months ago

    I saw your valve order – I will see what I can do 🙂

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Lightest 2+ person packraft in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 11 months ago

    Unfortunately I don’t offer an ultralight version of the 2-Person packraft because I don’t think it would be strong enough… the standard weight 2-Person kit is already quite light compared to any other comparable boat. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 11 months ago

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Transportation and storage in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 11 months ago

    It sounds like your storage method is a good one! Your question inspired me to make a video showing how I fold and roll packrafts, and I’ve posted it here: https://www.diypackraft.com/construction/how-to/pack-carry-and-store-a-packraft/

    Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 11 months ago

    Hi Aaron – your welds look good, and it sounds like they are holding just fine. I usually see some variation in the transparency of the welds (especially in the yellow and red fabrics), so that’s nothing to worry about. Do try to use the roller to squeeze out the air bubbles, but they look fine.

    I’m going to answer the other part of your question…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 12 months ago

    After Pilotpeat posted a question in the forum about packrafting paddles, I decided to make a permanent page to address the subject in the FAQ. Here’s the paddle page.

    I also received an email from Kait P. […]

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 4 years, 11 months ago

      Hi Chad, I checked the link but I can’t find any information about paddle specs, prices, or how to order…

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Multi Piece Paddle in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 12 months ago

    Excellent question, and I’m surprised it hasn’t come up before! You’ve prompted me to make a dedicated page about this topic (so it won’t get buried here in the forum over time). It’s a work in progress, but it’s posted here: https://www.diypackraft.com/faq/packrafting-paddles/

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 5 years ago

    Here are a few pandemic-related questions and their answers (plus a couple of rants), which I will update as things change:

    Is DIY Packraft still making and shipping packraft kits? Yes! My region has been […]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years ago

    Usually leaks are caused by debris in the zipper: https://www.diypackraft.com/faq/why-is-my-airtight-zipper-leaking/

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years ago

    Hi Aaron – sorry I didn’t see this until now. There’s a bug in the forum software that was holding posts with multiple pictures in a hidden section, waiting for moderation, but it wasn’t notifying me about them. Hopefully I’ve fixed it now… we shall see. Don’t be afraid to email me if you don’t get a response within a day or so.

    Anyway, your…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Dyneema fabrics for packrafts in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years ago

    Very interesting! Until now, the low melting temperature of DCF has been a problem for heat sealing, but it looks like they have formulated a type of TPU that is weldable at a lower temperature – very cool. Unfortunately the price will be prohibitive for many people, but if someone manages to get a sample of several meters and wants to try making…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 5 years ago

    I’m running low on several of the DIY Packraft fabrics, and due to all the craziness in the world right now, it’s uncertain when I’ll be able to receive new shipments. For that reason, I’ve removed the bulk […]

    • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
      Matt (Admin) replied 5 years ago

      Unfortunately I’m not aware of another source.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Pure TPU as adhesive in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 1 month ago

    Very creative tip – thanks for posting! I can see this being especially useful for spots where I accidentally damage the TPU on the tube fabric. Cheers!

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Recent Posts
  • Tariffs on DIY Packrafts?
  • New Spray Deck Option
  • Removable Spray Deck
  • Iron Modifications
  • Off-Grid Heat Sealing Irons
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