Description
Note: This is the spray deck only – spray skirts are sold separately!
Note: Select your packraft model first, then the size.
When used without a spray skirt, a spray deck keeps out most splashes and some rain. When paired with a spray skirt, a spray deck creates a water-resistant seal between your body and the packraft, keeping you dry and warm in rain and moderate whitewater conditions (and you can still easily exit the packraft if you capsize).
The spray deck is added to the packraft after the packraft construction is otherwise complete, so it can be purchased at the same time as the packraft kit or at a later date.
This spray deck is designed to be permanently attached to your packraft, but it could also be installed temporarily using repair tape for occasional use, or a water-resistant zipper can be added to make it removable.
Each spray deck kit includes:
- Tough 275 GSM spray deck fabric scored to fit your DIY Packraft (available in black only)
- Flexible plastic tubing for use as a cockpit coaming stiffener
Weight: approximately 400 grams (14 oz) , or 200 g (7 oz) if you leave the stiffener tube at home. A DIY Packraft spray skirt will add an additional 100 g (3.5 oz).
To order the correct spray deck for your DIY Packraft, first choose the model and then the size of your packraft from the drop-down menus above.
Whitewater or Expedition deck? The only difference is the position of the cockpit opening:
- The cockpit opening in the Expedition-style decks (pictured above) is placed far enough back that you can lean your backrest against the rear tubes for a paddling position that remains comfortable for many hours at a time – useful for long journeys or more relaxed paddling. You can still use the back band to move your seating position forward, though some minor modifications to the spray skirt may be required. (Back bands and thigh straps are included with the packraft kits.)
- The cockpit opening in the Whitewater-style deck is moved forward for a more aggressive paddling position that improves fore-aft balance, paddling power, and maneuvrability at the expense of not being able to lean your backrest against the packraft’s rear tubes. This forward seating position is still quite comfortable, but you don’t have the option of reclining against the rear tubes. Aspiring whitewater paddlers who plan to regularly use thigh straps and the more forward seating position that a back band allows should choose a whitewater deck.
Other Packrafts: If you want to add a spray deck to a packraft other than the DIY Packraft Skeena or Telkwa, choose “Other” and “Other” in the drop-down menus above and I will cut out the cockpit coaming shapes but leave the deck fabric uncut so you can tailor it to your specific packraft. (I recommend making a pattern from paper or plastic before cutting the fabric.) The available size of the deck piece is approximately 191 cm (75.5″) long, 63 cm (25″) wide at one end, and 78 cm (31″) wide at the other end, so be sure to measure your packraft to ensure the fabric is large enough. If your packraft is not a DIY Packraft, I cannot help you with the installation or guarantee a fit.
Note: This spray deck is not designed to be used with spray skirts from other manufacturers. Unfortunately there is no standard kayak/packraft cockpit opening size/shape – each manufacturer is different. Forcing a too-small spray skirt onto a DIY Packraft deck may damage the stiffener.
Assembly instructions are posted here.
Packraft, spray deck, and spray skirt are sold separately.
