• Yep, that sounds about right (see the “Note” about sealing different fabrics together on the Heat Sealing page). You don’t need to join 450 to 450 in any of my designs, so don’t worry about that. Cheers!

  • I think that would work fine, but I would probably just apply the sealant to the outside of the seams. It looks pretty good (glossy) if you let it cure fully before getting them dirty (if it’s at all tacky it’ll pick up dust).

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    Awesome! Great bow bag, too! Cheers 😀

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    What a beautiful spot for a maiden voyage! Excellent work, and thanks for posting, Barbara!

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    Beautiful work, Christian – they all look flawless!

    Thanks for the feedback about your experience with the Ultralight fabric, too.

    Happy paddling!

  • Hi! I’ve increased the seam width in the kits to 30 mm based on customer feedback, but I haven’t tried any wider than that. I think it should be fine to go wider, but only up to a point (because the tubes meet at an angle and the seam strips have to mold to them).

    Also, I’m not sure if you’ve been adding seam sealer to the inside of the seams,…[Read more]

  • Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years ago

    Updated March 19, 2021

    After being out of stock for about half a year, a new shipment of packraft fabric arrived in February and I received a large number of orders as soon as I announced the packraft kits […]

    • Sorry, not at this time.

    • I have a limited supply of green fabric right now because I did not receive more in the recent fabric order. After I catch up on the current orders I will likely have enough green left for a few more packraft kits, and I will make them available to order (probably in 2-3 weeks). I will try to remember to email you then. After that fabric is gone, I will not have more green fabric for at least several months.

    • I am not 100% sure there will be enough green, so only do that if you will be happy with a yellow kit in case there is not enough green left, or if you don’t mind paying the non-refundable credit card fees in case you want a refund (about 3.5%).

    • Hi Levi – sorry, I don’t currently have any bulk fabric for sale.

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Foot Rest? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    I’ve fixed the broken link – thanks for bringing it to my attention. Just send me an email if you’ve ordered and want to get your password early 🙂

  • Hi Barbara, this is the only failure I’m aware of, and it’s a good lesson for us all: https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/packraft-failure-near-drowning/

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seam Strip Too Short in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    The least stress will be near the tip of the stern, so you could try there. Wherever is convenient should be fine though.

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    Cool! Excellent work, and thanks for posting!

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seam Strip Too Short in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    I don’t know what fabric you’re using, but assuming you’ve tested the welds and you’re satisfied they’re strong, then if you’re careful to avoid leaving any gap where the two pieces meet then it should work out fine. You can’t heat seal a fabric patch over Seam Grip though (or to the inside of the tube fabric, for that matter); instead, I would…[Read more]

  • Looks good from here (see the “note” on the Heat Sealing page about sealing different fabrics together).

    It’s nylon.

  • Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years ago

    I am very grateful for the number of people who placed orders immediately after I announced the new fabric shipment had arrived, and now I am working to fulfill the orders as quickly as possible.

    DIY Packraft […]

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Not Sealing Seams? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    Excellent work, and thanks for the update!

  • Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years ago

    At long last! The Skeena, Telkwa, and 2-Person packraft kits are now available in all colors and sizes, and spray decks and spray skirts are also available. (Bulk fabric sales and Ultralight packraft kits will […]

    • Thanks for the good news regarding hit availability. Bummer though about the UL fabric. Very interested in purchasing a UL should those kits ever become available again.

    • Hi Matt. It says the Telkwa spray deck and skirt are on backorder in the shop pages. I put an order in anyway.

      • Yeah, the decks and skirts have been more popular than I expected so I need more of the non-fabric components, but that shouldn’t take too long.

        • Hey there, I just placed an order due to arrive early May-ish. Do you think spray decks/skirts will be available by then to add onto my order? Thank you Matt!

    • Thanks for the notification. Ordered a Skeena within minutes of receiving it, and a friend ordered a Telkwa afew hours later. Curious how many orders you received on day 1 to maybe have an idea on when they might ship. Ready to build this :-).

    • I haven’t experimented with skegs, but there’s some general advice in the last section of this page: https://www.diypackraft.com/faq/tracking-or-directional-stability/

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Foot Rest? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    I haven’t made one, but the easiest way would be to fold a circle or rectangle of fabric in half and seal the edges together. Add a top-up valve for inflation/deflation, and add at least one attachment point by sandwiching some floor material into the edge as in this seat: https://www.diypackraft.com/construction/how-to/seat-bottom-assembly-late-2020/

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    Good to know – thanks for the update!

  • Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 4 years ago

    The past several months have sure tested my patience, but barring further delays, the new DIY Packraft fabric shipment will arrive in 2-3 weeks (early to mid-February). Then I will start making packraft kits […]

    • Show all comments (10)
    • Thank you for the update! I’ve been checking constantly to see if the kits are back in stock as I want to get going on a Skeena in February :-). Will you have it in the red fabric? And I take it the seams and seat will be black?

      I’ve also been searching everywhere for a leather iron. No luck on Alibaba, Amazon, local hobby shops, etc. What is the idea iron width to look for? Would also be happy to buy one second-hand from anyone who has completed their built and would be willing to sell theirs.

    • I’ve been checking back in too for updates. Thanks for updating.

    • Hi Mike – sure, I’ll send you an email.

    • The average for a first time builder seems to be about 35 hours. (The answer to this question and many others are posted in the FAQ.)

    • No, the ultralight material is too flimsy to make boats like that.

  • Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 4 years ago

    Yep, that’s the stuff.

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