- DIY Packraft

Uncle Fred replied 2 years, 5 months ago

Hey Matt, do you feel you’ll have enough TPU fabric at some point this year where we could order it by the yard? This stuff is great for all kinds of little projects. I’m thinking of using TPU to create the frame for an inflatable sail.
- Matt (Admin) replied 2 years, 5 months ago
  
  It’s possible, but please don’t rely on it. Selling bulk fabric creates inventory problems because I need four different fabrics to make each packraft kit and when I sell bulk fabric as well then it becomes impossible to keep the right amount of each fabric in stock for the kits because bulk purchases are so unpredictable. If it only took a month or so for me to receive a new fabric order then it wouldn’t be such a big deal, but unfortunately it takes over six months, so if I don’t keep tight control over the inventory then there are long periods when I can’t sell any packraft kits, which is my first priority. I might occasionally offer some of the less popular fabrics for sale in limited quantities to re-balance my inventory though.
  - Uncle Fred replied 2 years, 5 months ago
    
    I understand. Maybe you could do something akin to what ripstopbytheroll does. They make/order a set amount of square yardage for a fabric type. Once it’s out, it’s done for the season until they can order more. Their site even shows how much fabric they have left to order.
    
    This way, it wouldn’t interfere with the fabric needs for your packrafts.
    
    Price it accordingly to make that worth your while. I’m sure you’d get orders. Where else can I get TPU fabric like this as a Canadian?
    - Matt (Admin) replied 2 years, 5 months ago
      
      Somebody should do this, but there are a few reasons why it won’t be me. First, selling bulk fabric is very boring – unroll, measure, cut, pack, ship, repeat. There’s no price that would make that a fulfilling job (for me). Second is the opportunity cost – any time I spend selling bulk fabric is time I’m not spending working on packraft stuff, and I already have more ideas than time. Third is the money problem – I don’t have cash to invest in extra fabric. Fourth is the storage problem – I don’t have space to store extra fabric.
      
      There’s definitely a business opportunity here, but anyone who dives in will risk competing with established companies that aren’t currently offering the same products but easily could. If you’re not adding value to a product (by turning it into a packraft kit, for example), then it’s hard to compete with a larger company that can afford to buy big quantities at lower prices.

lakecat1620 replied 2 years, 8 months ago

Hey Matt, I’ve been hoping you would make this design.
- Matt (Admin) replied 2 years, 8 months ago
  
  Great! I spent a lot of time on it, so I hope people like it 🙂
Damo replied 2 years, 8 months ago

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?
- Matt (Admin) replied 2 years, 8 months ago
  
  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.
  - Damo replied 2 years, 8 months ago
    
    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.

Matt (Admin)

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