This is probably the question I get asked most often, and the answer really depends on you. From the feedback I’ve received, the average time for a first-time builder is around 35 hours to complete DIY Packraft Kit – that’s an hour or two per evening for 3-4 weeks.
If you add things like a spray deck, thigh straps, etc., then each accessory will also add time to the build.
Fixing mistakes will add significantly to the build time, so the most efficient approach is to make sure you fully understand the instructions before proceeding!
The ultralight fabrics weld faster than the heavier fabrics, so the Ultralight DIY Packrafts are the quickest to build, at around 15+ hours. The 2-Person DIY Packraft is significantly larger than the other kits, and therefore has longer seams that take longer to heat seal.
If you use an iron other than the type I recommend, you may add a significant amount of time to the project, because the kits are designed to be assembled with an iron of a specific width.
A lot of time can be saved by applying seam sealer (such as Seam Grip+WP) to the inside of all seams during construction, because this eliminates the need to track down and fix tiny leaks caused by imperfect heat sealing.
I recommend against planning a packrafting trip before your packraft is complete, because trying to finish it before a deadline may cause you to rush and make mistakes. Ideally, it should be a fun winter project, not a hurdle you need to jump on your way to the water.
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