Review: $25 Heat-Sealing Iron
This heat sealing iron arrived in my mailbox today, and I’m really happy with it! Click here to read my review. Note: This is a post from 2016. See the current iron recommendations here.
This heat sealing iron arrived in my mailbox today, and I’m really happy with it! Click here to read my review. Note: This is a post from 2016. See the current iron recommendations here.
Here’s the newest how-to video – I’ve posted text+pictures instructions here 🙂
I did it! I’m offering exactly the same zippers available in the best manufactured packrafts, at a fraction of the cost. In order to get them at a decent price, I had to purchase a large quantity (the story of Read more…
After hiking up our local ski hill yesterday, Nikki and I were rewarded with an exciting ride down!
I just uploaded this video, in which I show the first steps in constructing a DIY Packraft from a kit. The same procedure is used for the new (Version 2) plans, after cutting out the shapes from the fabric. The Read more…
I am starting to make my next packraft, and when choosing which colours I wanted to use, I found it helpful to print out several copies of this outline and colour in the different segments with different options so I Read more…
I have posted a new video comparing the fabrics I used to make two of my previous packrafts to those that are available in the Shop now. Check it out!
Things have been pretty quiet on the blog lately, and that’s because aside from working at my “real” job I have been working feverishly to finish a new generation of packraft plans, featuring improvements based on my experience constructing and Read more…
The fabric is here! Now I am working overtime at my “real” job to pay for it, which leaves me little time to work on the website. I will be sending out an email to notify interested people when the Read more…
Just a quick update from the Port of Vancouver, where I have come to pick up my first shipment of fabric – it’s currently in “bond”, and I am waiting to clear customs, but with a little luck, I should Read more…
For a video and more up-to-date information on this topic, visit this page. If you’re paddling an ultra-lightweight inflatable packraft in any but the most ideal conditions, it’s almost inevitable that your boat will develop a leak at some point. Read more…
I will be offering high strength 210D nylon-66 with a thin polyurethane (PU) coating on one side and a thicker, heat sealable polyurethane (TPU) coating on the other side (see Fabrics for definitions), and also a lighter weight 40D (320T) Read more…
Thanks to Barbarix for sending me links to the very cool German-language website, www.ultraleicht-trekking.com (ultralight trekking) and his DIY packraft and paddle posted there. My German comprehension is poor, but thanks to Google Translate, I can understand most of the Read more…
If you’re on Instagram, you can now follow my packrafting adventures! Click the social icon above or search for me at @diypackraft 🙂
Yesterday three of us went for a hike in the alpine above the valley where I live, and I brought a packraft in case we felt like going for a paddle. I’m glad I did, because in spite of the Read more…
I’ve created a new page about inflation bags, here, which will be updated with pictures and a how-to video soonish 🙂
Several people have been asking for more details about the DIY heat sealing iron I am using now, so I wanted to make a quick post today showing some photos of how it’s put together, because I won’t have time Read more…
I have been sending DIY Packraft plans all across the world, and I’m so pleased that we are such an international group. Below is an interactive map, indicating all of the countries I have received orders from. If your country Read more…
Note: That’s a 45 cm (18″) ruler in the picture, not a regular 30 cm (12″) ruler. Today I whipped up a seat prototype – something I’ve been putting off until now – and it turned out remarkably well. It Read more…
Now that people are ordering plans and starting to construct their own packrafts, I have created a Facebook page (here) where you can keep up with the latest pictures and videos, and post your own. Just hit the Like button Read more…
Today I finished the packraft that I’ve been making in the demo videos, and I’m super excited about it! I think it looks much better than the white prototype, and it’s even lighter, at 641 grams (1.41 pounds)! I’ll post Read more…
Several of you taller folks have been asking for a packraft that will accommodate your larger bodies better, and I’m happy to announce that I’m ready to ship plans for a packraft that has a cockpit length of about 128 Read more…
Last weekend my friend Derek came for a visit and wanted to try out my DIY packraft. It was a windy day with some chop and even whitecaps on the lake, but he paddled it without difficulty. Just outside the Read more…