DIY Packraft

  • Home
  • Gallery
    • Pictures
    • Videos
    • DIY Packraft Customer Build Reports
    • Customer Pictures
  • How-To
    • Heat-Sealing
    • Useful Tools
    • 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!
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • FAQ
  • Forum
    • DIY Packraft Forum
    • Log In
    • Activity Stream
    • Members
    • Register (Create an Account)
    • Lost Password
    • Password Problems
  • About
    • About DIY Packraft
    • Matt’s 30-Day Solo Packrafting Trip
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Join the Mailing List

Tristan

Profile picture of Tristan

@thigbee

Active 8 years, 1 month ago
  • Activity
  • Profile
  • Friends 1
  • Forums
  • Personal
  • Mentions
  • Favorites
  • Friends
  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 5 years, 1 month ago

    Due to a shortage of black fabric, all packraft seat parts will be made from colored fabric until further notice. I will use the same color as the packraft’s tubes or a complementary color, depending on […]

  • 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

    Interesting! I got some samples of TPU sheets too, but I haven’t had time to experiment with them yet. In a way, it’s a “solution in search of a problem,” but when we find that problem it will be an elegant fix. A higher melting temperature will make it difficult to use though.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 1 month ago

    Yeah, I apply the Seam Grip to the TPU side (shiny outside) of the fabric in spots like that if they’re somewhere that will be noticeable on the inflated packraft. If it’s somewhere hidden, like near where the tube meets the floor on the inside of the packraft, I apply it to the inside of the tube. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 1 month ago

    Hi Jason – excellent question! Your heat sealing looks great. The bond strength between the TPU layer and the woven fabric is slightly less in the 450 GSM fabric than the 250 GSM fabric, so this is to be expected. (In the packrafts, the tube-to-floor joints are designed to minimize peeling forces, so don’t worry about this.) I will add a note to…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic My new ultralight build! Thoughts and comments on the kit and process. in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 1 month ago

    Thanks for the detailed comments! I’m working on ways to make the cut lines better in the Ultralight fabrics… it’s pretty difficult on those thin fabrics. Thanks for the tip about placing the darker fabric under the tube fabric – I’ll add that to the instructions.

    I’ll add a note to the pressure fit valve product page indicating that if people…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic TIZIP on an Alpacka? Experiences? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 1 month ago

    I know a number of people have added zippers to both of those brands and it should work the same way. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 1 month ago

    It’s the same – just a bit cheaper to change the plug. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat Iron in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 1 month ago

    @rookienewbie Yes, it should work exactly the same. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 5 years, 1 month ago

    TL;DR: Any order placed during the COVID-19 pandemic may be subject to unavoidable shipping delays; by placing an order, you accept this possibility and agree to wait.

    For up-to-date postal service status […]

    • Profile picture of camiledayetrottier
      camiledayetrottier replied 5 years, 1 month ago

      Hey Matt,

      Wondering if you are still shipping out kits? I’m in Toronto, so it within Canada but still, just wanted to see if something’s changed since you posted this. The situation being so fluid and all.

      • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
        Matt (Admin) replied 5 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, I’m still shipping kits and I will continue to do so unless I get sick. DIY Packraft is a one-man operation and I work from home, so I am able to maintain physical distance from people – the pandemic hasn’t disrupted business in that regard. I would be extremely surprised if postal services were suspended within North America, given how much people are relying on online purchases to sustain themselves while staying at home. (The post offices have implemented physical distancing procedures as well, but I purchase shipping labels online, so I have minimal interaction with postal workers anyway.) I will post an update if anything changes, but until then, things are relatively normal here.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic German Shipping and Customs Experiences in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 1 month ago

    Thanks for posting this, Harald. I will add a link to this post in the Germany section of the Will I Have to Pay Taxes or Import Duties page so more people will see it. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 5 years, 1 month ago

    All this frightening news about the coronavirus pandemic is enough to make one want to pack a bag and take an extended packrafting trip deep into the backcountry – or at least hole up with some canned food and […]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago

    Great work, Arnold! Thanks for posting!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 5 years, 2 months ago

    If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know that I’m constantly working to improve the DIY Packraft designs, instructions, and materials.

    Today I’m excited to introduce a new fabric that has been […]

    • Profile picture of AbMtnGuy
      AbMtnGuy replied 5 years, 2 months ago

      Great news Matt! Thanks for all your thoughtful work! What’s the approximate weight savings on a medium Telkwa?

      • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)
        Matt (Admin) replied 5 years, 2 months ago

        Hi Guy – it depends on which fabric you compare it to, but I’ve added a table on the product page so you can see the weights of all the size/fabric combinations. Cheers!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic 2-Person Suitability for WW in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago

    I hesitate to recommend a DIY Packraft for unknown whitewater conditions… so much depends on the conditions and the paddlers’ skill. I assume the race organizers wouldn’t send you into unsafe conditions though, so it’s probably not a bad option. It would be a lot of work to make something you’re not passionate about though, so it might make more…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Gluing something to a packraft in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago

    I have tried many adhesives and do not recommend any of them, but two that other people have recommended (I have not used them because they’re not available where I live) are HH-66 and Stabond. They will stick to the fabric, but I don’t know if they’ll stick to a magnet. You may have better luck heat sealing a piece of fabric over the magnet to…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic 2-Person Suitability for WW in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago

    In your situation I would rent packrafts for the event – much less stress and more time for training.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 5 years, 3 months ago

    Ken S. recently sent me some pictures of his growing DIY Packraft fleet, which looks fantastic. He also sent some really useful feedback for me, which I have turned into the Telkwa build report linked below.

    I […]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Internal Drybag Connector in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 3 months ago

    You can iron attachment points to the inside of the floor piece where it’s exposed between the ends of the tube pieces… that’s probably easiest.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 4 months ago

    It’s just double coated, and that’s where the extra weight comes from.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 4 months ago

    Hi @peteh

    This is a common occurrence and nothing to worry about, due to some variations between the fabric pieces each time I cut them. You can trim the edge(s) to fit between the dots/slits, but don’t trim all the way along the seam – simply start trimming at the required width and then gradually make the trim narrower and narrower until it…[Read more]

  • Load More
Cart
Recent Posts
  • Tariffs on DIY Packrafts?
  • New Spray Deck Option
  • Removable Spray Deck
  • Iron Modifications
  • Off-Grid Heat Sealing Irons
Recent Comments
  • Matt (Admin) on Spray Deck Assembly
  • Kenneth on Spray Deck Assembly
  • Matt (Admin) on Spray Deck Assembly
  • Kenneth on Spray Deck Assembly
  • Matt (Admin) on Frequently Asked Questions