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Hi Matt
Just thought I’d post here to say I just did a weekend intermediate whitewater pack rafting course with some great instructors from Canoe Tasmania.
I paddled my version 2 packraft in a load of grade 2 and grade 3 (couldn’t say how much of each as I don’t have my eye in for being able to call one from the other yet). Having the instructors and spare boats around meant I felt fairly secure should anything pop. However the raft handled everything fine, I didn’t even tip it all weekend (miraculously).
Only mods were tight front and rear perimeter lines to hold if I fell out (tight enough to avoid entrapment, but can still grab in a hurry). Plus a self designed cruiser style spray deck.
The cruiser deck got swamped when punching through bigger waves so need to work on that a bit more. Just finding the balance between a secure deck and one you can easily get out of. I’d used the bear minimum of velcro, so need to add a little more in a few places.
Don’t think I’ll be hitting any grade 3 without some experienced folk on hand for the time being. But at least I know both I and packraft can do it now.
Cheers
Ed
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Just thought I’d add to my post and support Bruce’s comment above. Now I’ve had a flavour of some rescue skills, a full 3 day swiftwater rescue course will definitely be on my to do list. The course I did last week also emphasised the need for technical paddling skills so you paddle well and the packraft’s stability doesn’t make you complacent.
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Took my DIY packraft out for its first outing on Lake Taupo (New Zealand) last week.
I used 210 denier fabric from extemtextil for the tubes and the black 650g/sqm fabric for the floor (TPU coated both sides…seems to work OK, just put baking paper underneath the area you are heat sealing). I agree with all other comments I’ve seen on the forum that the 210 denier extremtextil fabric is difficult to work with (it takes forever to heat seal!!!). I’d just get Matt’s fabric in future, though postage costs from North America to Australia is what put me off doing this originally.
I’ve got a Clover Mini Iron 2, just wrapped some foil around the handle to get it a bit hotter to heat seal more easily (still slow with the extremtextil fabric, but a bit better).
I ended up using Ozone Boston Valves from BrisKites (kite surf bladder repair valves). They’re good though not cheap, but I struggled to find an alternative source of the valves within Australia.
I’ve started putting together the beginnings of a “Cruiser” style spray deck, but have yet to finish.
Thanks to Matt for putting such a great site together.
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