Tom

I would suggest placing it across the top of the seat so it can wrap around the corners and not cross any seams. Locate it closer to one edge or the other so you can sit on the seat without it being right in the middle.

Very cool! It’s a great idea for ultralight propulsion.

Amazing achievement! It’s a really impressive feat of endurance, and on a beautiful, historic trail. Thanks for posting!

Thanks for the tip about the swimmers’ paddles, too. I’m curious, do you find it easier to paddle forwards or backwards with them?

That looks totally fine to me. A little Seam Grip+WP and you’re good to go!

Excellent work as usual, Ken!

I think the zipper will be fine there, but if you notice any issues, please tell us. Thanks!

Step 4 in the Ultralight instructions has as much information about the form as is posted elsewhere… there aren’t really “instructions” – just pictures and diagrams and a description.

For anyone who hasn’t purchased a kit, there are also pictures and a description on the Heat Sealing page (under the How-To menu).

Hi Max – well done for sticking with the project!

I think trimming the slit will be the best approach here. It might make a slight dimple in the tube there when it’s inflated, but that part will be underwater, so it won’t be very noticeable.

If you have a seam strip that is longer than required, you could extend the slit a bit farther into the…[Read more]

Excellent!

Hi Allen,

I would start here: https://www.diypackraft.com/faq/why-is-my-airtight-zipper-leaking/

Congratulations on the excellent work! What a cool place to explore, too!

It sounds like you’re 99% finished but you’re discouraged and you’re getting ready to give up, but leaks are a very fixable problem, so don’t despair!

That said, I’m even more confused now… Can you tell me what packraft model it is and which set of instructions you’re following? I don’t think I recommend using adhesives for any structural bonds…[Read more]

Welcome! Here’s some information about whitewater paddling in DIY Packrafts: https://www.diypackraft.com/faq/whitewater-capabilities-of-diy-packrafts/

I’m not sure if you saw the second “Note” on the heat sealing page, but what you’re describing could be normal. All of the seams in the packrafts are designed to avoid that kind of peeling force – they’re either shear forces only, as in the areas where the tubes attach to the perimeter of the floor, or the area that would feel a peeling force is…[Read more]

Hi RhettB, I’m sorry I’m not doing any bulk fabric sales at this time. Maybe when global supply chains are back to normal and I have plenty of stock I will, but that won’t be in the foreseeable future. Some people have had success modifying inflatable camping mattresses to fit the packrafts floor – that’s the approach I would take, as it would…[Read more]

Can you elaborate on what you mean when you say locating the leaks and sealing them hasn’t helped? It sounds like either there are more leaks to find and seal or your method of sealing them didn’t work.

Well done! And what a gorgeous location! Thanks for posting 🙂

Ah, okay 🙂

It sounds like you’ve already got it solved, but one thing I noticed with mine is that the heating element can slide outwards, and if it’s not pushed all the way into its hole then it doesn’t transfer heat as well as when it’s fully inserted. Also, if the element is a bit loose in the hole, maybe adding some thermal paste (a heat…[Read more]

It seems like you’re spending a significant amount of time and money trying to get the measured temperature to match some value, but from your posts I can’t tell if you’ve tried welding any scraps of fabric to see if there’s actually a problem there that needs solving.

If so, carry on – I just don’t want to leave other readers with the impression…[Read more]

It’s not possible because the design uses floor fabric that is coated with TPU on both sides and the 250 GSM fabric is coated on only one side.