Bruce

In my experience, having outfitted numerous solo whitewater canoes and kayaks, and from talking to the most experienced of the local packrafters with more whitewater skills than I (Class IV WW Solo Canoe) the most efficient paddling seat location is as far forward as possible. This allows one to paddle with the modern kayak stroke.

Ideally the…[Read more]

Terry,

You have a great kit awaiting, I will offer a few thoughts regarding your iron.

From the pictures it looks just like the leather irons I have. Mine just plug in and work. Eventually. It does take 20 minutes for them to reach temperature on 120v power. And they will go well beyond 220 degrees C.

Yes, I painted the sides flat black to use…[Read more]

<li style=”text-align: left;”>Craig,I have several Hangar #9 irons. Short answer: they are all slightly different. Most have a 10 to 20 degree temperature swing to activate the thermostat. When activated the thermostat connects the current increasing heat. Heat rises 10 to 20 degrees.
Do buy a thermal infrared thermometer and watch the iron…

[Read more]

Barbara,

I have used one of the Petite Press irons. They have a pretty weak handle that prevents using much pressure to seal the seam, and they are low wattage, if I recall it is a 40 watt iron. It’s owner found it very slow to bring a seam up to temperature and seal. He gave up and got a model aircraft iron.

As others have noted, the 165 watt…[Read more]

My daughter, age 10, finds it easy to re-enter her packraft by reaching across it and grabbing a webbing strap I install around the perimeter of the raft. It is just a 1/2″ piece of nylon webbing run through tie-down attachment points.

Having webbing around the bow, and another around the stern is sufficient too. I run it from 2R to 1R to 1L to…[Read more]

I tried several different heat sealing tapes. Bonds to the PU coating was unsatisfactory so I gave up. I was also unable to determine if the film of tape chemically matched the TPU coating. My understanding is that plastic welding and bonding only works between two identical or compatible plastics.

Great to know the Big Agnes fits my Voyager. An interesting complaint packrafters made about using their camping pads for the floor of their packraft was sleeping on a wet pad. A solution is to put the pad under the tent floor!

Bruce

Fairbanks

I’m fascinated with your successful application of 3m 5200. I bought the slow sure version and had no luck getting it to cure. Great looking craft, love the photos!

Bruce

Fairbanks

Marcin, Yes, packraft inflation is limited to lung pressure, at or less than one psi. In contrast, I believe a full size NRS 18′ heavy duty raft is inflated to 2.5 psi, much higher pressure than any packraft should be inflated.

It is an interesting question, and I have just acquired a low pressure gauge to fit my NRS barrel pump so I can pressure…[Read more]

Taylor,

Punch holes in the tabs. Here’s another photo, pardon the poor image, but I hope you can see the holes. They are ready for short pieces of cord to tie to matching holes punched in similar tabs in the seat. The goal is to prevent the seat from floating away should you be si-washed in whitewater. Or carrying the raft from the car for that matter.

The Boston Valve’s one-way middle partition is excellent. I use 1/2″ ID x 5/8″ OD tubing with a couple -three layers of duck tape around it to get a seal inside the middle valve. (7/8″ is for the larger opening when using my inflation bag.) I don’t want to snag the longer top-up tube attached to a top-up valve and have it pop apart. Especially if…[Read more]

I installed a schnozzel in the inflation bag that came with my latest V# kit. The idea was suggested by Lyn. It originates from Exped Schnozzel Pump, makers of sleeping air mattresses.

I find the corner installation to be fast and simple. I used 210D fabric for the schnozzel so it wouldn’t twist and shut off during inflation.

To dashion the…[Read more]

Modify your Model Aircraft Iron for optimum performance building a packraft.

Model Aircraft irons generate heat fast. They have the strength to press firmly on the melted TPU and seal a seam. I got mine at a great price. (https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXB357&P=0). But the shape leaves much to be desired.

The bottom is too…[Read more]

In further response to Clemens:
Here is a photo of the filed area on my second Chinese “adjustable Leather Iron” (made by Jingda Thermoelectric Products). The area filed is best illustrated before I smooth and polish it with sand paper and steel wool. Please note the blue tape over the cooling vents to prevent aluminum filings from contaminating…[Read more]