DIY Packraft

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    • 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
      • 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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Tomi

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@tomi

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

    Matt (Admin) started the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    To combat spam, I regularly delete users who have not made any posts, so if you are a newly-registered user and you are not going to post in one of the other topics right away, please say “Hi” below to prove you are not a spam bot.

    If you are already a registered customer, this is not necessary.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) started the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    I regularly delete users who have not made any posts, so if you are a newly-registered user and you are not going to post in one of the other topics right away, please say “Hi” below to prove you are not a spam bot.

    If you are already a registered customer, this is not necessary.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) started the topic New users say "Hi" here to prove you are not a Spam Bot in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    I regularly delete users who have not made any posts, so if you are a newly-registered user and you are not going to post in one of the other topics right away, please say “Hi” below to prove you are not a spam bot.

    If you are already a registered customer, this is not necessary.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Whitewater Capabilities in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Josh – I would definitely choose the seat, as it raises you up into a more comfortable paddling position. Without a seat, you have to lift your arms up quite high, which feels a bit awkward and would be tiring after a while. You could bring something else to sit on, like maybe a folded up camping mattress, but there’s a good chance it would get…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft fabrics: Green in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Done 🙂

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Inflatable Floors in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Looks good! Thanks for posting the picture so people can see how it’s done.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft fabrics: Green in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Mikkel, I have just posted an update about this here. I will add the green fabric to the shop so it’s available for pre-order – that’s a good idea. Thanks!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 8 years, 6 months ago

    Many of you have been waiting for the new fabric shipment to arrive – thank you for your patience! The shipment is now “in transit”.

    I originally gave what I thought was a conservative estimate of when the […]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    I have used a similar sealing iron (I built my first packraft with one – you can see it in my older videos) and it works fine for sealing, but the ironing surface is too wide for most purposes so it is a bit slow because you have to use the tip or the edge of the iron instead of the flat surface.

    The heating tools that I have used do not have…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Whitewater Capabilities in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Sounds good! I think if you lay out the patterns efficiently then you might even be able to get away with just one meter for doubling up the outside of the tubes (depending on how high up the walls you want the lamination to go); I think 2 m should be plenty, and you might have enough left over for other things too.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Mike,

    I’m interested in trying this method, too. A cheap hot plate would probably work as a heater, or even a clothes iron held in a cradle – anything that would maintain a consistent temperature.

    About how long do the irons stay hot before you need to reheat them, and how many of a given size do you need to make so you can switch between…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Interesting – thanks for the post!

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Whitewater Capabilities in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Daniel – as of early April 2017 I’m not aware of anyone paddling any difficult whitewater in a DIY Packraft… 2017 will be the first full year they’re out there in the wild, however, so that may change soon.

    In the interest of managing expectations, I just want to start by saying no lightweight inflatable will ever be as tough and…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Whitewater Capabilities in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Daniel – as of early April 2017 I’m not aware of anyone paddling any difficult whitewater in a DIY Packraft… 2017 will be the first full year they’re out there in the wild, however, so that may change soon.

    In the interest of managing expectations, I just want to start by saying no lightweight inflatable will ever be as tough and…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    My Dritz Petite Press arrived today and this one does not get hot enough to seal properly. Others report that the Petite Press works for them, so there may be variation among them (as there is with the Clover irons). I will try to modify mine so it works (it is almost hot enough), but at this point I cannot recommend it.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic What plans/kits would you like to see next? in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Interesting! I might try something like this. Thanks, Jeb.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Sadly, no… and I don’t have a weight yet, either. If I had to guess, I’d say around 450 grams per square metre, and double that for the 1000D.

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    I agree with Mike, but regardless of whether you trim it or not, hold the adjacent corners lined up correctly on the floor and see where the uneven corner sits naturally. This might make the edges un-parallel, but that will probably be the best place to attach it because placing it there won’t have knock-on effects down the line (i.e. the next…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    I agree with Mike, but regardless of whether you trim it or not, hold the adjacent corners lined up correctly on the floor and see where the uneven corner sits naturally – that will probably be the best place for it to be attached because placing it there won’t have knock-on effects down the line (i.e. the next corner will sit where it should…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Matt (Admin)

    Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 8 years, 6 months ago

    Excellent work! I like the lightning bolt detail, too.

    It’s a great feeling to paddle someplace where you know a boat has probably never been before – like being the first person to summit a mountain 🙂

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