-
Matt (Admin) commented on the post, My Month-Long Packrafting Trip 4 years ago
Fantastic! I was inspired by other people, so I hope my journey inspires others too!
-
Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years ago
I have just finished editing a “highlights” video from the 30-day solo packrafting/hiking trip I did this past summer, so if you’re interested in seeing what that trip was like, please check it out.
I’m also […]
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago
Great job, and thanks for posting!
To answer your question about the potential benefit of sewing the seams, I have done lots of destructive testing on the tube-to-tube seams used in the DIY Packrafts and the fabric around the weld always fails before the weld does – in other words the ironed seams are stronger than the fabric tubes – so while…[Read more]
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Designing a packraft with flat seams? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago
The short answer to your first question is “yes,” and the short answer to the second question is “no” – you could make a packraft with only flat seams, but that would be stretching the definition of “packraft”… something like the Klymit LiteWater Dinghy is about as close as you can get.
That Anfibio packraft you linked to has a flat seam around…[Read more]
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Trouble sealing seam strip to floor junctions in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago
I don’t see any major problems here – it sounds like you have a small hole that needs to be plugged with seam sealer. Try to remove any foreign objects that might prevent the sealant from filling the gap between the fabric layers (I’m not sure what that white stuff is) and then apply more Seam Grip/Aquaseal on the spot that is leaking and the…[Read more]
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Deciding between Telkwa, Skeena, and Ultralight in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago
Thanks for your interest in a DIY Packraft kit 🙂
For your intended use, an Ultralight would suffice, but for more peace of mind the Skeena would be better (I think a Telkwa would just be extra weight and bulk).
I used the shortest (120 cm) Skeena on my recent 30-day trip and it was more than tough enough for use in the lakes, class 1-2 rivers,…[Read more]
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic bowl for curved surface in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago
I recommend using something with a radius slightly smaller than the tube you’re working on.
-
Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 1 month ago
Since I announced there had been a delay in the fabric manufacturing process, a number of you have asked to be notified when the Skeena, Telkwa, or 2-Person packraft kits are back in stock.
I’m delighted that […]
-
Yes, unless something else goes wrong the new fabric should be here sometime in December.
-
Every year I pack in to a an alpine lake for some fishing. Its about ten miles in. Im in my 50’s now and concerned about weight in my pack (the knees and back arent what they used to be). I really love the skeena but am wondering if the ultralight is a better option for an aging packer. Youve paddled in both, so which raft would you take for some high altitude fishing?
-
Hi Scott, either option would work. Alpine lakes often have sharp rocky shores, so when I take an Ultralight I have to be a little more careful and be willing to get my feet wet when transitioning between the land and water. The heavier Skeena fabric is more durable so that isn’t such an issue. A rod holder would probably be more secure in a Skeena (search “fishing rod holder” in this site’s search bar to see how to incorporate one into the packraft)… I probably wouldn’t attempt to build a rod holder into the Ultralight. If you’re just drifting and casting that’s not a problem, but trolling isn’t easy in a packraft without a rod holder.
-
-
Hey Matt, I’m really excited to make a DIYpackraft. Any idea update to when fabric will come in?
-
Awesome! It’s looking like early February now.
-
Thanks for the update!
-
-
-
I couldn’t post in the introduce yourself section for some reason so I’ll just comment here.
I assume there is a bit of a backlog of orders. So I signed up for email notification in the hopes I can scoop up acouple Skeenas when material arrives.
-
-
Matt (Admin) commented on the post, I'm Back/Fabric Delay 4 years, 1 month ago
Good idea – I will try to figure out how to set up a mailing list, and once I do I’ll write a post inviting people to sign up. Cheers!
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic An improved tie down in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago
It kind of depends on whether or not you think you might want to add a spray deck sometime in the future – if not, strap plates directly under the bike frame tubes would probably work best – but they would likely interfere with the placement of a deck, so if you think you might want one in the future, I would use the loops. Hopefully that makes sense.
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Alternative to airtight zipper in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago
Very interesting – thanks!
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic An improved tie down in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago
I’ve been using Type 2 attachment points at the rear of my cockpits to tie in the seats, and that has worked really well. I orient the hinge line perpendicular to the packraft’s center line so the attachment point can swing freely forward and back.
I’ve been using the Type 3 attachment points for perimeter grab lines and for attaching my backpack…[Read more]
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago
Thanks for posting – the pink ukulele makes a great hood ornament!
Thanks also for the feedback about the seat. This is a common refrain, so I’m in the process of redesigning it to make it easier for people to assemble without leaks.
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 1 month ago
Thanks for the pictures and the details about your experience putting the kits together – it looks like you did a great job!
I have certainly tried to improve the construction methods and instructions since version 2, so it’s good to know I’m on the right track. Cheers!
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Alternative to airtight zipper in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 2 months ago
Very interesting – I look forward to reading some reviews to see if it works as advertised!
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Trouble sealing seam strip to floor junctions in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 2 months ago
Hi – one thing to keep in mind is that these areas are invisible on the inflated packraft, so don’t be reluctant to spread the Seam Grip or Aquaseal onto the tube fabric there, as any discoloration will not be noticeable. A thin layer spread wide should do the trick, especially if you have a zipper in your boat and are able to apply it to the…[Read more]
-
Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 2 months ago
I have returned from my 30-day hiking/packrafting trip and I look forward to sharing the details of this fantastic voyage with you, but first I have a large backlog of emails to respond to and plenty of work to […]
-
I hope your expedition was everything, and more, that you hoped and dreamed it would be!
-
Good idea – I will try to figure out how to set up a mailing list, and once I do I’ll write a post inviting people to sign up. Cheers!
-
-
Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Now Closed Until September 4 years, 2 months ago
Excellent! Thanks, it was great!
-
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years, 3 months ago
It looks great! And thanks for the note about the time!
-
Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years, 3 months ago
I am embarking on a solo packrafting expedition for several weeks. This is the trip I have been dreaming about for many years, and it’s the reason I started making packrafts in the first place, so in a very r […]
-
Excellent! Thanks, it was great!
-
- Load More
Fantastic! I was inspired by other people, so I hope my journey inspires others too!
What a great video. You skills at “seeing” the right thing to shoot are second to none. I love the close up shots of the moss, spider webs, ferns, pine boughs and the way you capture the light coming through the trees,. The panoramic vistas are breathtaking. Your “little planet” panorama of you traversing the rocky crag was scary and evoked my fear for you at that point. You did a lot of hiking carrying the camera pole! Great job! Great trip!
Thanks, Ken!
Haha, that is wonderful! Thanks 😀
Dear Matt,
I’m deeply impressed by your trip – what an adventure! And your documentation is awesome, and very useful too. I admire the (huge amount) of work you’ve invested to make your dream become a reality, and to show us how beautiful it is out there in the nature. I really hope that some more people will be inspired to leave their comfort zone, and to go out and to see this by themselves. Life can be so beautiful. All the best to all of you, and kind regards
Ruedi from Oeko-Travel Org and Biber-Boote in Switzerland
Thanks, Ruedi! I hope someone will be inspired by me in the way that I was inspired by other people.
Amazing! Loved it!
I was confused as to why that woman told you you couldn’t enter the lake via the river. If you stayed either on the river or below flood line of the river banks you have full right to do so (Canadian Navigable Act).
I have a similar tent (zpacks) – 3 person version though (2 dogs and a wife requires more space). Might get the 2 person as we sometimes travel separately.
I have a gossamer gear backpack instead of the zpacks backpack which is super comfy and only a tiny bit heavier.
I think I’ll work out some smaller loops to hike/paddle or bike/paddle out of your bigger adventure.
Matt are you still living on the island or are you in Smithers like your business says? Love the island. I’ve tried to get to Smithers 3 times and failed (long story) but one day – good backcountry skiing and mtn biking there! Always looking for new places to play.
Thanx again for sharing your adventure!
Thanks! I do indeed live in Smithers!
That river is probably one of just a few in Canada where that law doesn’t apply – the river is part of a First Nations treaty settlement area, and in the treaty’s fine print it does clearly say that the river is included in the private property. I wasn’t aware of it beforehand (it’s not marked on any of the maps I have), but I did confirm it afterwards. If someone was planning to do a similar route, I would recommend seeking permission in advance, or simply going straight from Alberni Inlet to Nahmint Lake via the Nahmint River valley to bypass that area entirely. There’s a big log jam in the Henderson River anyway, so it’s not an attractive route.
Matt how did you like paddling the Nimkish River? I lived in Port McNeil for a year (many many moons ago) and it was one of my earlier rivers I explored. The upper part was easy but there was one tiny tiny canyon that had an interesting needle drop but at flood level was actually was nasty. The lower part as it comes into Woss has a cool waterfall to drop at lower water and during flood a weird wave. I know you didn’t paddle the lower part as you described you got out before hand but did you do the tiny canyon? How was the run down to where you got out? Also how did you enter the Nimkish – we used another feeder creek as I recall. I’m asking because you had gear with you in a pack raft so I’m curious to how you found the run.
Loved it! It’s a beautiful river. I paddled in from Vernon Lake via the Sebelhall River, which was nice, aside from the log jams. There’s a bridge over the Sebelhall, so maybe that’s where you started too. I did paddle a beautiful little canyon lower down, but walked around the boulders/ledge leading into it because with the low water level it looked a bit too sharp. I had to walk several short sections of the river where it widened out over gravel bars because of the low water level – August probably isn’t the best month to paddle the Nimpkish (bit it’s still mostly doable). I’m working on some more videos that will show more detail.
OK I goofed. I looked on google maps and have things upside down. I’ve paddled two sections of the Nimkish – the part below Woss via Woss River into Nimkish (that was the easy section). The part above and into Woss we entered via Davie River which, combined with the waterfalls made for a more advanced paddle.
So did you paddled the part after Woss? You finish at Nimkish lake but I use to climb up a ridiculously steep bank way up to a bridge on the fsr to avoid the flat paddle of the lake.
I’m intrigue though with the upper Nimkish now. Likely would be fine with a bike on a packraft for the most part to do all of the Nimkish river (skipping the falls for certain). I’ll have to read back on your trip and see what else I could add to make an interesting bike raft trip loop.
Sorry for getting my info mixed up.
Yep, I paddled below Woss as well (you can see my entry and exit points on the maps on write-up page). There’s almost no traffic on the roads parallel to the river, so any loop in the area would be good for bikerafting.
Nice and inspiring! It also make mi curious about what kind of cameragear you use on your trips? I would also be interested to know what kins of riggs other pacraftbuilders use for mounting cameras when you are not shooting with a drone. Would it be a thing to have in mind before starting to assemble a diy-pacraft?
Thanks! I used a 360 camera on the end of my trekking pole to film the paddling – no drone or other rigging required. For more information, there’s a link to a complete gear list (including camera gear) in the post above.
I didn’t change anything, I just weighed it without the seat.