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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 11 months ago
Tariff Info for US Customers
Updated March 16, 2026 As a Canadian eCommerce retailer, I want you to know that depending on what you order, the Trump administration’s tariff p […] -
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 11 months ago
Very cool! Thanks for posting.
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 11 months, 1 week ago
Postal Strike (Updated Oct. 14)
The Canada Post workers strike has changed from a total nationwide strike to a partial rolling strike, so the postal system is now functioning again, […] -
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Great work, Joe – and gorgeous shot! Thanks for the feedback about the Ultralight – it sounds like you’ve had some great adventures.
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 12 months ago
Introducing the Skeena XL
Skeena XL (orange), Atlin 145 (red), Skeena 120 (green), Ultralight (yellow), all made by Kenneth Dagfinrud of Norway. Until now, big and tall […] -
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year ago
Awesome! What a great location – and thanks for the feedback about the kits!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 1 month ago
Great photos, Lee, and excellent work! Thanks for sharing!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Folds and general screw ups in seam strips in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 1 month ago
As far as I can see, neither of those looks bad enough to risk removal and rewelding. I would just coat them with Aquaseal and not worry about it, because everything else looks great. For the sealant on the inside, I would proceed as normal, just making sure to plug any obvious routes where air could escape. Cheers!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Forgot to attach a strip inside tube, what to do? in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 3 months ago
Excellent – in my opinion, that’s the best way to do it – a little at a time, so you don’t get sick of it. Cheers 🙂
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 3 months ago
Fantastic! I’m glad to hear it! Enjoy the summer 🙂
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Forgot to attach a strip inside tube, what to do? in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 3 months ago
Hi Anders – don’t worry! It’s not necessary to go back and change anything – just carry on. Those inside reinforcements are only for extra strength (the Skeena and other packraft models don’t have them, and that has never caused a problem). If you are really concerned, you could add a wider reinforcing strip that bridges across the sealant, but…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 3 months ago
Very cool! I love the underwater shots. Congratulations!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 3 months ago
Awesome! Thanks for posting! And once you get some weight on the bow, you’ll find that it doesn’t turn so much when you paddle. Congratulations!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 3 months ago
Great work! Excellent job on the self-bailing setup – I look forward to seeing more!
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 1 year, 4 months ago
Tariffs on DIY Packrafts?
Just a quick note for Americans wondering if the constantly-changing tariff regime will affect their DIY Packraft purchase: In the nine years I’ve […] -
Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 1 year, 4 months ago
New Spray Deck Option
The Expedition style spray deck (left) and the Whitewater style spray deck (right). To accommodate the back bands and thigh straps that are now […]-
Just checked in after a few months. This is great news! I wish I could easily retrofit my existing boats, haha.
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Haha, you were the inspiration for this option! Sorry it took so long…
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Need Advice in the forum DIY Packrafts 1 year, 4 months ago
Hmm, the picture doesn’t really show the whole piece, but from what I can see, it looks like it could work. If you want a new black rectangle then I can make one for free – you’ll just need to pay the shipping cost. Send me an email with your current address if that’s what you’d like to do, or carry on with the red. Cheers
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 1 year, 4 months ago
Removable Spray Deck
If you like the idea of having a spray deck on your packraft – but only sometimes – then you should definitely check out the clever design by DIY […] -
Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 1 year, 6 months ago
Iron Modifications
Photo by Michael B. showing his two modified irons with interchangeable feet (more photos on his website, linked below). Michael from Hamburg, […]-
Thanks for the tips, Michael 🙂
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 1 year, 6 months ago
Off-Grid Heat Sealing Irons
I’ll admit I was skeptical when forum member @oldcanuck first emailed to say he was planning to try powering his fabric welding iron the […]-
Hello Matt … and welcome back.
I hope my design can help others who also live off-grid know that they can build a diypackraft, with a hand-made seam sealing iron!
Living with solar power for an electrical source, the thought of running a power hungry electric iron for dozens of hours had me thinking there must be a way to use my wood stove to heat a tool, of some sort, for seam sealing. It’s the temperature control of the wood stove that is key. I heat my 900sqft cabin home, cook meals, bake wirh my Nectre 350 Bakers Oven and now for a new challenge, make a couple of Matt’s Skeena kits. I figure it’s worth a try!
oldcanuck
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There are still no tariffs on DIY Packraft kits because the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is still in effect, and I provide a certificate of origin with your order showing that it’s made in North America.
After the US Supreme Court’s decision that the “emergency” tariffs are illegal, Trump replaced those tariffs with a different type of tariff set at 15% across the board. So, if you buy something that doesn’t come with a certificate of origin (something that isn’t a kit), you’ll probably have to pay an extra 15% to the US government.
I am unsure how to make the payment. Purolator shipping shows “awaiting payment for release”. Their quick pay feature requires an account #, not just a shipping number. I only appear to have the shipping #.
How do i make the payment without an account #?
You don’t have to do anything yet. UPS will pay the fees to US Customs on your behalf, then UPS will try to contact you by phone and/or email to get you to reimburse them. If you don’t hear from them in the next few days, let me know and I’ll ask Purolator for the UPS tracking number (they don’t automatically send that to me). Once UPS contacts you or you have the tracking number, you can pay through a link on the UPS tracking page. If you wait to pay until they come to your door, they’ll charge you an extra fee (like $12 or something ridiculous), so it’s better to pay online.