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Matt (Admin) commented on the post, New Packraft Model: Atlin 2 years, 7 months ago
Great! I spent a lot of time on it, so I hope people like it 🙂
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 2 years, 7 months ago
Inspired by bikerafting, the Atlin’s wide bow creates a stable and buoyant platform for carrying large loads.
For more information about the Atlin, watch the one-minute intro video below and check out the […]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Convertible Spray Deck option in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 7 months ago
Pretty much, yeah.
Alpacka used to use wide velcro (and maybe still do on some spray decks) but people complain about water getting in through the velcro.
You can buy “waterproof” (more like water-resistant) zippers of various lengths on Amazon and elsewhere. Some of them even have a heat sealable TPU coating on one side. Remember you’ll need a…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Convertible Spray Deck option in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 7 months ago
Hi Damo – yep, it’s definitely doable, I just don’t offer it as an official option because I haven’t found a reliable zipper supplier. Cheers
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Correct seat placement in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 7 months ago
Greetings! Great work on your Skeena!
I’m not sure if the seat position will have a noticeable effect on the directional stability, but for comfort, my recommendation would be to start with it as far back as possible and then lengthen the tether if you want to try moving it forward. If you use the stock backrest then you will need to place…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Pre-Orders Available 2 years, 7 months ago
Thanks for the order! The confirmation email may have gone to your spam folder.
I don’t have an update, other than that things are still on track for a mid-year arrival, and if that changes I will post an update. -
Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Easy bow bag from scrap fabric in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 8 months ago
Awesome idea! Thanks for posting!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic 2p Raft Seating Alternative in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 8 months ago
I either sit on the tubes or on a seat slid all the way back, depending on what else is in the packraft and how it all fits. Solo in the 2-Person, I use a kayak paddle – the longest one I have. If I was paddling with another adult, I might choose canoe paddles because it’s less annoying (you don’t smack paddles if the person in the rear stops…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic 2p Raft Seating Alternative in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 8 months ago
I think you’ll find the width of the 2-Person packraft to be as much of an issue as the seat height, and after testing the idea of a kayak-style seat you might change your mind. When paddling solo with a large/heavy load, I actually prefer to sit on the rear tubes because it’s narrower there and you have better visibility and control.
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Top-up valve adapter for boston valve in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 9 months ago
Very cool! If I had a 3D printer I would definitely make one. What kind of plastic did you use?
I tried to figure out what threads are in the valves, but I wasn’t able to find a match. The same threads are in valves from at least two different sources, so it might be a Boston valve thing.
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 2 years, 9 months ago
It’s snowing outside here now and all the lakes and rivers are frozen, so editing this vlog-style video was a nice change of scenery for me. It’s footage from a solo packrafting trip I did last August in […]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Floor to tube fabric heat sealing issues in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 9 months ago
No problem!
In the meantime, I’ve changed it to bold text and added another bullet to the list.
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Floor to tube fabric heat sealing issues in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 9 months ago
Don’t worry – that’s normal. It looks like you’re doing a good job. Sorry for the confusion.
The answer to your question is directly below the text you quoted – it’s even referred to by the asterisk in the quoted section 🙂
Since switching to the 450 GSM floor fabric, I get this question a lot, so I keep moving the information, thinking “Now…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 2 years, 9 months ago
This is just a quick follow-up to my previous post – I received some positive feedback about the pre-order idea, so now I’ve made it possible to pre-order (backorder) the packraft kits in the Shop. These orders […]
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Thanks for the order! The confirmation email may have gone to your spam folder.
I don’t have an update, other than that things are still on track for a mid-year arrival, and if that changes I will post an update.
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 10 months ago
Gorgeous photos! Thanks for posting!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Tips & Tricks in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 10 months ago
Great idea! I find that the weight of the iron’s cord sometimes drags the light aluminum stand off my table – this would certainly solve that problem!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY GTX drysuit in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 10 months ago
Impressive work – thanks for documenting your project! It’s very cool! I’m sure other people will want to follow your lead.
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Drysuits for Packrafting in the forum DIY Packrafts 2 years, 10 months ago
Fantastic!
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Matt (Admin) commented on the post, Packraft Kit Availability Update 2 years, 10 months ago
No, the ultralight material is too flimsy to make boats like that.
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 2 years, 10 months ago
TL;DR: Normal order processing times are about a week, but I’m out of fabric, so packraft kits will be unavailable for several months. Sign up here to be notified when kits are in stock.
Happy new […]
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I would pre-order two more Skeena kits, including Spraydeck for one Skeena and one Telkwa. Will write you later today in the evening.
Christian
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Hey Matt, I’ve been hoping you would make this design.
Great! I spent a lot of time on it, so I hope people like it 🙂
So, apart from the extra load carrying capacity, what are the main benefits? Am I right in thinking it will actually be easier to put it together, due to the design of the bow? What water rating would you be happy to say it could handle, Class III? And does the slightly stronger tube material negate the need for the wrap around bottom fabric that is on the Telkwa?
Whitewater handling will depend on what you pack and how you pack it – a large, top-heavy load is inherently unstable. The main benefit of the Atlin compared to the other models is that it’s more stable with a large load on the bow because it’s wider there, so (all else being equal) as it tips sideways in the waves it’s less likely to capsize because of its wider stance. Whitewater capability depends more on the paddler than the packraft, so I don’t normally give ratings (I have a page in the FAQ about all the confounding factors) and it’s still the spring thaw here so I haven’t had a chance to paddle in anything other than lakes and a fairly gentle river… I can tell you it makes for a lousy icebreaker though (but it’s still fun to ram the ice at full speed to see how far you can get). The construction time/difficulty is about the same as the Skeena – there’s one less tube-to-tube seam, but there are three long seams instead of two. Durability is also similar to the Skeena – the Telkwa’s wrap-around floor is still in a class of its own.
Thanks for the reply, considering I have a lot of shallow rivers in my area, I think the extra floor strength of the Telkwa is probably still a better option for me.