DIY Packraft

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    • Instructions – 2-Person Kits
    • Instructions – Atlin Kits
    • Instructions – Chilko Kits
    • Instructions – Skeena & Telkwa Kits
    • Instructions – Ultralight Kits
    • Roll-Top Drybag Kit
    • TIZIP Zipper Installation
    • Attachment Points & Tie-Downs
    • Footrest Assembly
    • 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
    • 2026
      • Meet the Chilko Self-Bailer
      • New Footrest Kit
    • 2025
      • MasterSeal Zippers in Stock
      • 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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Uncle Fred

Profile picture of Uncle Fred

@unclefred

Active 4 weeks ago
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  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred commented on the post, Meet the Chilko Self-Bailer 4 weeks ago

    Somehow I missed this announcement. Great to see your leg straps and inflatable floor designs mature into a new boat!

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  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic Intrigued by ultralight roll top packraft. Tell me why it's a bad idea in the forum DIY Packrafts 9 months, 2 weeks ago

    That sounds like a great idea for it. Let us know how it feels.

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 9 months, 3 weeks ago

    Update on the Boston valve to pump adapter.

    I’ve modified the original adapter design by @krafter to fit the 2025 Flextail Max Pump 3.

    Adapter

    This pump offers 5KPa pressure. Flextail has a larger, 12KPa boat pump, but it’s only available second-hand as of October 2025.

    Boston Adapter to Flextail Max Pump 3

    Updated design. The mount for this pump consists of a tiny lip, necessitating a…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic Intrigued by ultralight roll top packraft. Tell me why it's a bad idea in the forum DIY Packrafts 9 months, 3 weeks ago

    There’s a couple of these drybag designs floating about. This looks ideal for playboating, or adventure river crossings.

    With the ubiquity of electric pumps these days, I’m not sure if the tradeoff of a rolltop that might be a bit more vulnerable deflation makes much sense.

    Personally, I prefer just having one-do everything heavy-duty boat I can…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 12 months ago

    Didn’t see Matt’s leg straps post. Cool! Glad I could help.

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred commented on the post, New Spray Deck Option 1 year ago

    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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  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Simple new project for today. Used 250GSM fabric to make a phone pouch for an Anfibio inflatable lifejacket.

     

    Sits inside the chest area, velcro closure with webbing pull handles.

    Above is a new roll of that UHMWPE thread I like.

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Nice. Have you tried to see if your adapter will friction fit tight enough to leave it until it’s full? How pressured can you get the boat?

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred commented on the post, Inflation Bag Boston Valve Adapter 2 years, 2 months ago

    That’s really cool. I need to come up with an adapter that functions the same way for my pump but also supports the top-up valve.

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  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    Yup, that adapter that tapers right? lol

    Maybe I need to take the rubber off. I find that it stays in for a little bit, but once the pressure becomes higher, it pops out. I still have to fill it for another 30 seconds by breathing into it.

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 2 months ago

    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.

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred posted a new activity comment 2 years, 2 months ago

    When I built my raft, I thought I’d use the zipper access to store things. It’s been far more useful as a way to access the interior area and turn the boat inside out.

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  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

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

    Side profile

    (Above) Side profile.

    Front Profile

    (Above) Front profile.

    Rear 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]

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic DIY Accessories in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 3 months ago

    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]

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic in the forum DIY Accessories 2 years, 3 months ago

    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.

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic in the forum DIY Accessories 2 years, 3 months ago

    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.

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic in the forum DIY Accessories 2 years, 3 months ago

    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]

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic in the forum DIY Accessories 2 years, 3 months ago

    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]

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic in the forum DIY Accessories 2 years, 3 months ago

    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]

  • Profile picture of Uncle Fred

    Uncle Fred replied to the topic in the forum DIY Accessories 2 years, 3 months ago

    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]

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