Description
The “Telkwa” is the toughest DIY Packraft, and the world’s first packraft to feature a wrap-around floor that protect the tubes well above the waterline. If you expect to regularly encounter sharp rocks in moving water, or you simply want the peace of mind that a more robust packraft brings, the Telkwa is for you. On the water, it handles much the same as the Skeena, but it is stiffer and has more rocker in the bow to easily climb over steep waves.
The kit is available in three different sizes to fit your leg length. It features heat sealable 270 GSM (8 oz) tube fabric, and the wrap-around floor is made from 450 GSM (13 oz) fabric (see below for details). The included inflatable seat kit and backrest provide excellent back support for a very comfortable paddling position.
- Internal length: 120 – 140 cm (47-55”) – find your size here
- External length: 255-275 cm (100-108″)
- Internal width: 37 cm (14.5″)
- External width: 93 cm (36.6″)
- Finished weight: 2.41 – 2.58 kg (5.3 – 5.7 lbs)
- Packed size: 25x25x45 cm (10x10x18”)
- Capacity: 145 – 155 kg (315 – 340 lbs)*
- Tube fabric: 270 GSM
- Floor fabric: 450 GSM
- Tube diameter: 275 mm (11″)
- Build time: 20-40 hours
*Learn about packraft capacity ratings here.
Every Telkwa kit includes:
- Fabric for making the packraft’s tubes, floor, seat, back band, thigh straps, attachment points, seams, and inflation bag. The fabric is partially pre-cut to speed assembly.
- Access to detailed instructional videos
- A Boston Valve for inflating and deflating your packraft
- Two Top-Up Valves*; one for your seat bottom and the other for the back rest
- Extra fabric for heat sealing practice, repairs, and for making small accessories
- Parchment paper (silicone coated baking paper) to make heat sealing easier
- Airtight zipper (optional)
- New for 2024: ten D-rings are included in this kit.
- New for October 2024: a thigh straps kit is included with this packraft kit.
Airtight zipper option: An airtight zipper allows you to store gear inside your packraft’s tubes and to easily access the inside of the packraft for repairs. Both zipper options are high quality airtight zippers made in Germany, and both are rated to 700 hPa or 10 PSI air pressure (much more than the pressure in a packraft). The MasterSeal is lighter and easier to install, operate, and clean, and it has a single seal. The SuperSeal is heavier and more difficult to install, operate, and clean, but has multiple seals. A MasterSeal zipper will add approximately 65 grams (2.5 oz) to your packraft’s weight. A SuperSeal zipper will add approximately 125 grams (4 oz) to your packraft’s weight. Both have proven to be reliable in packrafts but the SuperSeal has a longer track record.
450 GSM wrap-around floor: This high strength black fabric features durable TPU coatings on the top and bottom, making it waterproof, airtight, puncture resistant, abrasion resistant, lightweight and packable.
Multi-color option: Choose “Multi” from the drop-down menu and you can designate each tube segment to be made in your choice of the available colors, which are currently red, yellow, orange, green, blue, and black. Print and color the packraft outlines here if you want to experiment with different designs. When you have decided which pattern you want, add your list in the Notes field during checkout (e.g. 1L: red, 1R: blue, 2L: yellow, etc.). Note: There is no standard multi-color pattern; your order will not ship until you specify a pattern or request to be surprised.
Spray Deck & Spray Skirt option: You can add a spray deck and skirt for whitewater paddling and to keep rain out of your packraft. Spray decks and spray skirts are sold separately.
Assembly instructions are posted here.
See customer build reports here.
Tools required for assembly include:
- Heat sealing iron
- At least two small (28 gram / 1 oz) tubes of Seam Grip+WP seam sealer or Aquaseal or Aquasure or a similar adhesive (if possible, purchase these locally to avoid shipping problems)
- Ruler/straightedge
- Sharp scissors
- Masking tape
- A heat resistant bowl or curved wooden form (see instructions)
- A few binder clips, paper clips, or small spring clamps for holding fabric pieces together while you work
- A permanent marker (a silver Sharpie pen works well on the darker fabrics)
- A few wooden blocks of various sizes (or similar heat resistant items)
- An internet connection fast enough to stream the instructional videos
*An additional top-up valve can be purchased separately and installed in the packraft, but the air pressure in the packraft can be topped up on the water through the Boston valve’s built-in check valve.
Prices and specifications for this product may change without notice.
Note: The weight and dimensions in the “Additional Information” tab are for shipping the kit with all of the additional scrap fabric and packaging. They do not represent the final weight and packed dimensions of a completed packraft.
