krstahl

I love the paint job.  It looks like The Flying Hellfish is devouring the waves!

I was finally able to get my Skeena onto a mountain lake.  Here I am on Island Lake (9,500′) in the Beartooth Mtns of Montana in late September.  The peaks in the center background are all over 12k’ in elevation.  This is the first time I have ever seen ALL of the snow gone from the peaks, at any time of year, in my life time.

I just finished my 5th DIYpackraft (one V3, three Telkwas) and now my first Skeena.  I found the process is getting easier but it still takes me about 35 hours.  This one held air very tightly overnight despite 4 of the tiniest leaks in various places.  The biggest mistake I made was using the Ty-zip location for the Telkwa instead of the Sk…[Read more]

Pay close attention to the inside of the raft tub, i.e., at the junctions where the two tube ends and seal strip come together and are welded to each other and to the floor.  Matt stresses this area for extra care during fit up and welding.  Even so, those are the locations where I had most trouble.  My second most source of leaks was at small bu…[Read more]

A friend and I floated a 6 mile section of the Yellowstone River near Billings, MT in early March.  I just had to try my newest Telkwa!

ltk114,

I would be interested to give it a try if you really have given up on it.  I live in Montana but get down to AZ (Grand Canyon) a couple times a year – no plans to get back there till late September.  The seam in your photo looks like it needs a lot more heat.  If that is the only type of error made then it might be repairable with some ef…[Read more]

Thanks for the feedback.  Before I add handles I think I’ll practice a bit in the pool (all the rivers are frozen right now).  I have long arms and I intend on having a blue camp mattress strapped to the floor.  I can prob grab the opposite edge of that if needed.

Greetings All, from Ken in Montana.  I’m working on the stern closure seam of my V3 kit today.  This has been a fun project.