Uncle Fred

Hey Krafter, have you seen the screw-on adapter shown here? Merging your design with the Boston Valve screw-on on threads would allow hands-free operation.

Here is one of my modified spray skirts, as requested.

(Above) Side profile.

(Above) Front profile.

(Above) Rear profile.

I had an issue where my more forward seating position made the spray skirt too tight around the waist. To address this, the torso funnel was cut off and four additional 150GSM fabric panels were cut from the fill…[Read more]

I think the solution might have been staring us in the face.

Why not maintain your original design, but add an adapter designed to slot over your existing one? We could then cut out an adapter attachment similar to what the Boston valve uses.

If designed with a lip, you’d just need to epoxy one ring to each adapter.

This would have the added…[Read more]

Yes, adding some fabric things like a rolled-up sleeping mat seems to create a kind of surface that conforms to your feet fairly well once the air is pushed out through the valve.

The pumps are easily worth it. It’s so much better than inflating a boat manually. Plus they are great for filling air mattresses, inflatable life jackets, and helping campfires. I’m honestly surprised they aren’t just standard kit with these boats.

Yes, the valve used for the seat.

It would be interesting if your design could be modified in a way that would be workable for both the Boston Valve and these seat valves.

Carrying multiple adapters isn’t practical when using these boats for something like portage backpacking. Too easy to lose small accessories.

I bet a similar design without…[Read more]

The pictures were helpful. Yes, I’ll look into that.

Question. Have you tried to see if this adapter works with the smaller inflation valves Matt sells? Currently, I have one of the white adapters that came with the Flextail pump epoxy’d on permanently. It fits loosely over the valve’s head but is sufficient to get these smaller objects filled…[Read more]

Yes, I’ve tried the smaller design just inflated. It was Alpacka’s offering that made me confident an inflated footrest would work. I filled the bag as full as possible without using a mechanical pump. The issue is that your feet don’t apply even pressure on the footrest when paddling. It only felt solid once you added an object and pushed out all…[Read more]

Krafter, have you made any of these adapters and tested them? I want this!

To answer Matt’s question: For my version which is the max pump, no. The pump is not powerful enough to push air through the check valve.

An attachment like this would be a huge godsend. Krafter, If you’ve printed out any of these, I’d happily pay for one as I don’t have…[Read more]

Hello Matt.

Okay. I’ll post something on the skirts when I have time.

Nice! A four-point leg strap system would be a great option for builders.

On the issue of flex, I don’t notice anything unless I’m facing directly into the wind with light choppy waves. The bow tends to bounce on these. I don’t recall this feeling any different from my early…[Read more]

New year, new improvements for the rafts.

Above, we see a portage carrying handle (bottom center), a 9-point adjustable seat back, and 4-point adjustable leg straps. These adjustable straps fit boaters 5’3″ (160cm) to 6′-4″ (193cm).

(Above) The adjustable leg strap attachment point. For the straps themselves, I used the same…[Read more]

Above are two sets of 5-piece paddles. I’ve further refined the water cups from the previous year by shortening the cup fabric and painting it inside and out with Seam Grip. Doing this adds a ton of abrasion resistance and rigidity. Both paddles use custom carbon fibre tubing. The tubing is available via Aliexpress. The seller Best Carbon…[Read more]

New project to show off.

A lot of hardshell boats offer sturdy foot rests to brace your feet against. This is something I miss from packrafts.

Matt was kind enough to send some extra 250GSM fabric in my latest order. After some trial and error, I came up with a relatively simple footrest design.

This drybag is designed to be wedged into…[Read more]

Hi Matt! Hope all is well. Yes, I’d be happy to have this project benefit you or others on your site.

I could come up with dedicated step-by-step instructions with diagrams for the leg straps, backrest, sail, removable skeg mount, or anything else I did. Contact me by email if you like (same email as my account).