Cheap prototyping/ pattern making

[Incidentallawyer]

I am trying to design some patterns to make a replacement floor for my existing ducky.  It has a heavy PVC inflatable floor, and I want to make a new one out of TPU with some nice zippers to add storage.

Does anyone have any ideas of materials and processes that I could prototype my patterns and fit?

I’m thinking Tyvek, maybe some glue and staples?  Or heavy contractors plastic and double sided tape?

Cheers

Topic

[Incidentallawyer]

I found that for some quick and dirty modeling, clear plastic did work, good tip!  It was more of a proof of concept rather than an actual design, but I might try a full scale mock up with it.

I know with all the packraft kits the TPU is on the outside, but my design would leave the TPU on the inside, basically attaching two flat sheets together.  Is that going to be a problem in terms of durability or anything?  I was hoping to use the single sided 7 oz fabric.

[Matt (Admin)]

The Klymit LiteWater Dinghy appears to be made with the woven fabric on the outside, and pretty much all packraft seats are made that way, too, so you’ll probably be okay, depending on what you’re designing.

[Matt (Admin)]

When I was designing my first packrafts I used a roll of clear plastic vapor barrier from the hardware store (used for house construction) and the tape they sell for sealing it. My prototypes weren’t completely airtight, but close enough to judge whether or not they were the right shapes when inflated.

[Author]

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