Notice anything unusual about this packraft?
2.278 kg, or 5.0 lbs
The tough floor fabric wraps halfway up the tubes to make this DIY Packraft extra tough where it counts, and it’s still lightweight and packable. I think that’s a world’s first! This prototype is the 130 cm / 51″ size with 560 GSM floor fabric and 250 GSM tube fabric, and it’s only 20% heavier than the V3 DIY Packraft with the same specs.
I still have some work to do designing a new seat, but so far I’m pretty pleased!
Update: after several iterations and a bunch of on-the-water testing, the new seat design is finished, and I’ve decided to name this packraft model the “Telkwa” after my local whitewater river.
24 Comments
Ken S · September 24, 2019 at 1:12 pm
I purchased a Telkwa kit from Matt in late June and finished it in early August. Building it was much like the V3 I built last January. However, there are a few key differences and so you should certainly review Matt’s updated Telkwa build videos to avoid some of the mistakes I made. Probably the biggest difference is that now Matt recommends using the “inside out” construction technique. I used that and found that it does aid in better access to the weld areas. On the down side, it also works the material pretty hard and there are touch up welds or seam grip “repairs” needed if you don’t take lots of care to get your welds right the first time. A person could still build the Telkwa using the V3 method as an alternative if so wished. I purchased my Telkwa kit with the zipper which definitely aided in the construction, especially in closing the aft seam.
I feel like the cockpit is just a bit narrower than the V3 as is the foot compartment. Still, there is room for me in the 130cm size.
The new seat design is fantastic with the pillow back. However, I definitely recommend sealing the seat separate from the seat back because while sitting on a partially inflated seat, my body weight pushed all the air into the back which left me with no air in the seat bottom. After I ironed the neck closed, I added a top off valve to the seat back. I put more air into the seat back and that gives great back support. Less air in the seat keeps my center of gravity lower in the boat but still keeps my butt off the floor.
I have taken my Telkwa on the middle Yellowstone River several times now, riffles only, maybe a possible low-end class 1 rapid. The Telkwa tracks much better in the water than the V3 does because of the more stream lined bow. I always add about 25# (12 kilos) to the front to keep it level in the water (a big, rounded rock has been used in the bow compartment a time or two, as well). I’m really pleased with how it handles. I have hit a few “butt dragger” shallows and had no fear of the bottom opening up. The extended floor up the side walls of the tubes gives me a bit more secure feeling should I scrape a log or rock although I have not done that and really try to keep from doing that.
My Telkwa weighs within an ounce or two of the V3 and pumps up with the same number of strokes from my small piston pump. My boating friends are amazed that I have built my own boats and are envious of the light weight when hauling gear back to the car shuttle or when hiking to a mountain lake (V3).
Andrew · July 18, 2019 at 6:35 am
I’m really interested in this design for a couple river (moderate whitewater) trips. Do you have the interior width (front and rear, since it clearly tapers)? I’m looking at the two smallest sizes. Shifting weight forward for better weight balance (fore/aft) is a pretty standard packraft design (the included seat design does that to some extent), and I’m wondering if I will get a good fit width wise if I go that route.
Matt (Admin) · July 18, 2019 at 9:30 am
The interior width tapers from 37 cm (14.5″) to 21 cm (8.25″) in all three sizes. It’s designed to fit snugly around your hips, and being inflatable, it can stretch to accommodate wider bodies. Cheers!
Terry · June 24, 2019 at 4:16 pm
I am curious to see if you are going to offer the Telkwa seat in the shop. Would like this new seat style for my other packraft.
David Talbot · May 22, 2019 at 2:17 am
Yup waiting eagerly for it to arrive now!
David Talbot · May 18, 2019 at 12:14 pm
Any news on availability yet?
Matt (Admin) · May 21, 2019 at 12:33 pm
I see you found it 😀
Erlint · May 7, 2019 at 11:04 am
Hey Matt,
Any chance we’ll see the new packraft in action soon, a video perhaps? Cheers
Matt (Admin) · May 7, 2019 at 2:51 pm
Yeah, I’ll probably make a video of the new packrafts after I finish all the instructions.
Matthew · May 2, 2019 at 3:35 pm
Hey Matt,
I saw the new model up on the store page and I’m wondering whether the seat would get in the way of putting in thigh straps and a spray deck. The seat seems to extend quite high in the boat so I’m concerned that the accessories wouldn’t work as well in this boat although the general shape and design do seem better than the V3 for the trips I’m doing. I am all whitewater if that helps. Any ideas on which would work better or ways to make the new model work?
Matt (Admin) · May 2, 2019 at 4:06 pm
I don’t foresee any issues with the seat back interfering with a spray deck – just place the cockpit coaming back far enough so the seat back doesn’t push against it. Thigh straps shouldn’t be a problem either. If you don’t like the seat you can cut off the seat back and just make a flat seat instead and add a back band or something else (or just cut the seat back shorter). If you get an extra top-up valve (or repurpose the one intended for the packraft) you could turn the seat back into an inflatable foot rest or a pillow to go between your knees. There are lots of possibilities. Cheers!
Christian · April 30, 2019 at 7:22 am
Hi Matt,
I’m about to order a V3-Kit and the 2-person-Kit. Thought to build two packrafts for our trip to norway this summer.
What do you think, should I wait for the new model? And if yes, when will it be available?
Thanks and best greetings from germany
Christian
Matt (Admin) · April 30, 2019 at 9:14 am
Hi Christian, thanks for your interest! It depends on the type of paddling you want to do, but if weight isn’t your main concern, personally I would choose the new model. Aside from the design updates, the instructions will be easier to follow. It’ll be in the shop quite soon. Cheers!
Brian · April 23, 2019 at 10:13 am
Hey Matt, are the overall dimensions of this model similar to the V3? It looks longer to me, so just curious. Excited to start my journey!
Matt (Admin) · April 23, 2019 at 10:25 am
Yep, you’re right – it’s got a higher volume bow and stern.
Brian · April 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Did you change the design because the V3 won’t work with this wrap around bottom?
Matt (Admin) · April 24, 2019 at 7:33 am
No, there’s nothing about the V3 design that precludes a wrap-around bottom, but I don’t intend to offer it as an option.
Brian · May 6, 2019 at 9:26 pm
What about a spray deck? I was hoping to add a convertible to mine.
Matt (Admin) · May 7, 2019 at 8:48 am
I haven’t designed one yet, but it’s certainly possible!
Nick G. · April 18, 2019 at 11:54 am
Hi Matt,
I’m about to pull the trigger on purchasing another kit from you. Just wondering if you’re still thinking of releasing this new design soon.
Thanks for an awesome product!
Nick G.
Juneau, AK
Matt (Admin) · April 18, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Hi Nick, I’ll be testing out a seat for this packraft this weekend – I suspect it might need a bit more work, but yes, I hope to have it in the shop soon. Cheers!
Wes · April 9, 2019 at 2:24 pm
Interesting…. One of these with a semicircle cutout up front for wading(Like a watermaster kodiak) would make for a pretty easily pack-able drift boat substitute for fly fishing. I wonder if there would be a way to add in some sort of oar mount to the sides…
Dan · April 5, 2019 at 5:49 am
This looks great! The bottom is exactly what I have been trying to figure out how to modify , I’m planning to build a couple for a trip in July in the Bob Marshall Wilderness this summer, what are the chances that a kit will soon be available for this version?
Matt (Admin) · April 5, 2019 at 8:15 am
Hi Dan, I’m going to paddle it and the new 2-person packraft for the first time this weekend, and if all goes well I hope to have kits available later this month. No guarantees though!