In the fall of 2015 I was looking longingly at the name brand packrafts, but I couldn’t justify the expense of buying one. There also didn’t seem to be the kind of boat I wanted available at any price – a full size packraft capable of handling mild whitewater made of ultra lightweight materials. So, intrepid Do-It-Yourselfer that I am, I decided to make my own.
At the time I couldn’t find much information about homemade packrafts online – certainly nothing about how to make something the quality of a top-of-the-line boat – but I tend to get a bit obsessive about these things, and after spending hundreds of hours researching, testing materials, and designing and building prototypes, I hit on a design that I’m happy with. I figure there must be hundreds (if not thousands) of other people who would like to make their own packrafts but don’t know where to start. If you’re one of them, this site will save you time and money.
My latest DIY Packraft, made with no sewing from the plans available on the Shop page, weighs 641 grams (1.41 pounds). See it in action in the Gallery. See how I made it on the How-To pages.
If you’re trying to decide whether to make your own packraft or buy a manufactured boat, here are three reasons why you should consider making your own: cost, customisation, and fun.
Cost:
This is the most obvious benefit of a DIY packraft. Even if you buy nothing from me, you’ll save a lot of money by building your own packraft – roughly 80-90% savings. I hope to be able to increase your cost savings by buying materials in large quantities and reselling them in the amounts you need at a small profit. Since there are very few suppliers of technical fabrics who sell directly to consumers, I will be able to offer top-of-the-line products at the lowest prices you will find anywhere. This is not a get-rich-quick scheme, just an attempt to fill a vacant niche – plus I will get to play with all the products I supply 🙂
Customisation:
For the most part, all of the best packraft manufacturers make packrafts of roughly the same design, and certain types of packrafts that consumers have been asking for are still not available at any price. I have used 3D modeling software to design my own packrafts based loosely on the shapes of the latest commercially available boats, and I have developed my own simple construction methods which require no sewing, no special skills and very few tools. If you’re like me, you’ll find that half the fun of packrafting is in making and modifying your packraft and accessories. I have designs in mind for new boats, spray decks, inflatable seats with integrated PFDs (life jackets), paddles that convert to trekking poles, inflation bags that double as drybags for your backpack, packraft sails, sleeping mats, and more.
Fun:
If you’re even considering making your own packraft, you’re probably the type of person who can appreciate the satisfaction of creating something useful from scratch. I get a lot of enjoyment out of making packrafts, paddling them, and seeing the look on people’s faces when they ask me about my boat and I tell them it’s a homemade packraft that weighs less than two pounds and rolls up smaller than a loaf of bread.
20 Comments
Griz · September 15, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Packrafting and backpacking go together. I just kinda’ figured that out on my own. Amazing.
Anyway, my ideal packraft would have an inflatable “pad” floor that pulls out and does double duty as my sleeping pad (maybe 3/4 pad). Different material and perhaps even with low density foam for self-inflating, but certainly some comfort as well as a bit of bouyancy.
Design it right, and you could potentially slip the inflated pad into the flooring where the side wraps around it and it is kept in tight when the chamber(s) is/are inflated. The bulk of the chamber(s) can sit above the pad and hold it down. And the chambers are somewhat protected on the bottom by the pad.
Bigger and heavier? Yes, but I am always carrying a ground pad anyway, even if I bivy up in hammock.
Today my packraft is a Klymit LItewater that I bought for $120 new, and my sleeping pad also just happens to be a Klymit. Love them, but wonder why Klymit couldn’t design something that is a system.
Matt (Admin) · September 21, 2016 at 6:36 pm
That is a good idea worth thinking about. Thanks!
Maradona Choi · September 11, 2016 at 9:32 am
Dear Matt,
Wow~ you r genius man~!!^^
I am a packrafter from south korea and this is awesome~
I’m working a s an ad film director in korea for 18years and packrafting became my lifetime hobby 3 years ago.
I love create something by myself, my hand. Wow~
I always want to have my own style boat.
I’d like to learn how to make it from you, majester~^^
Where do you live in US…?
Let’s be a friend and share the informations.
I got the biggest online community club of packraft in korea.
Best regards,
Maradona Choi
uniluxury@naver.com
Matt (Admin) · September 11, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Thanks! I live in Canada. I look forward to hearing more from you and other packrafters in Korea!
Cheers,
Matt
Jamie Morrill · September 5, 2016 at 1:45 pm
This TPU backed ripstop nylon looks promising:
http://www.extremtextil.de/catalog/Ripstop-Nylon-TPU-coated-heatweldable-200g-sqm::1636.html
What do you think about its suitability?
Matt (Admin) · September 5, 2016 at 1:59 pm
That looks promising, but I would order a sample first or ask for more details such as denier and TPU coating thickness.
Christoffer Dyre · October 10, 2016 at 7:46 am
Hi Matt,
I am also living in Europe and saw the question from Jamie Morril.
I noticed two things the Ripstop-Nylon in the linked only had a weight of 200g/m2, were the one you supply/ recommend is 280g/m2.
I found this material, on the same website after a google search on your given material properties, and found this one, which has a 275 g/m2.
http://www.extremtextil.de/catalog/Nylon-210den-TPU-coated-one-side-275g-sqm-heat-sealable::1700.html
This seems to match your specifications better apart from not being specified as Ripstop-Nylon, but only Nylon with a breaking strength: 1000 N/50mm (99kg/50mm).
Sorry to follow up on Jamie’s question, but you are the expect here, do you see this material as suitable?
Best regards and amazing work you are doing. I will order your plans shortly for sure!
Christoffer
Matt (Admin) · October 10, 2016 at 9:43 am
Hi Christoffer,
I have not worked with that fabric, so I cannot give a definitive answer, but according to the specifications it should work. Before purchasing, I recommend you do a price comparison between my kits (available soon) and any other fabric you are considering, including shipping costs – even to Europe.
Note that ripstop is not my preferred weave… I will do a fabric comparison video to show why.
Thanks!
Jamie Morrill · August 29, 2016 at 12:08 am
Hi
Just a suggestion… a Boston valve on the seat might be a bit overkill. Could try using a valve salvaged from a kid’s pool toy or arm bands.
Great site … Can’t wait for the fabrics to come in.
Jamie.
Matt (Admin) · August 29, 2016 at 9:07 am
Great suggestion – I’ve been thinking the same thing, so I’ve ordered some valves that are better than what you’d find on a pool toy but not as big as a Boston valve. They’ll be in the Shop soon 🙂
JW · July 12, 2016 at 12:20 pm
This is so awesome, i’m going to build one in 210den in the next winter. Any idea on when a plan for a spraydeck is ready?
Cheers!
Matt (Admin) · July 12, 2016 at 12:39 pm
Great! Designing a spray deck is high on my list of things to, so (free) plans should be available in the next month or so.
JW · July 28, 2016 at 2:37 am
Awesome, in a short while I will order the plans for the packraft so another “Mattraft” can be built in Sweden.
Matt (Admin) · August 5, 2016 at 8:53 am
Haha! Sounds great!
Joe Zelmer · June 28, 2016 at 10:53 am
Bravo ! This is so Awesome that you did this. Have you considered trying to make one in the classic USAF survival raft variety? Similar to the Sevylor trail raft or Supai Canyon/Matkat style. I thought it looked possibly a little easier to recreate than the Badboy of rafts. I have been toying with the idea of making an inflatable but there really is next to nothing about this subject matter. I remember almost falling out of my chair with excitement about an episode of How its made (inflatable boat). I keep debating buying the innova twist kayak but would rather build something. I had considered Paul Elkins Coroplast boat or maybe the GeodesicDesigns 8lb canoe. But luckily stumbled on this long awaited website.
Matt (Admin) · June 28, 2016 at 11:00 am
Thanks, Joe!
I think your idea of offering a simpler design option is great, so I will work on that. Look for an update soon!
P Glenn · June 27, 2016 at 4:22 pm
Great website! I’m leaving on a backpacking trip next week. A bit to late to make one.. But i will take a look at your website very soon!!
Matt (Admin) · June 27, 2016 at 8:56 pm
Thanks, Glenn – enjoy your trip!
Great graphic design work, by the way!
Ginga Pope · June 8, 2016 at 5:28 pm
Hey Matt
Looks great. Only problem I can see is that once I got into the raft I would need a small hoist to get me out!
I would suggest that you also list the weight in metric as well as imperial and Niki should have a life jacket on.
Love ya guys
Gingha
Stefan Asmus · May 16, 2016 at 8:41 pm
Hi, i love it, because i am in the same situation in Germany. I am trying to build my own Packraft. So you give me a lot of support with your DIY Packraft. At this Moment im trying out an old MIG Liferaft as a quasi Packraft, but i think it will be not enough for me, because of the tubes diameter.