Notice anything unusual about this packraft? The tough floor fabric wraps halfway up the tubes to make this DIY Packraft extra tough where it counts, and it’s still lightweight and packable. I think that’s a world’s first! This prototype is the 130 cm / 51″ size with 560 GSM floor Read more…
When heat sealing TPU coated fabrics together, it’s important to apply pressure to the fabric as it cools, otherwise it tends to buckle and lift before it forms a strong bond, so you end up with bubbles and weak or leaky areas. I used to use a leather glove or Read more…
Update: Gustav’s detailed fabrication instructions are posted here! If you’ve ever tried fishing from a packraft, you know that it’s nearly impossible to hold a fishing rod and paddle at the same time. Gustav K. has come up with an ingenious solution to this problem – a lightweight and flexible Read more…
Here in the north we’re deep in winter, so I haven’t had a chance to paddle the new 2-person DIY Packraft yet, but here are a few more pictures that show the new seat design (just one of them, because I’ve only made one so far). Hopefully I’ll have a Read more…
Ken S. sent me a build report with excellent photos and detailed descriptions of his V3 DIY Packraft build, including tips about what worked for him and what didn’t. I’ve turned it into a web page here. It will be most useful as a reference for people who have purchased Read more…
Check out the new 816 gram (1.7 pound) DIY Packraft!
I haven’t made many paddling videos this year, so I thought it might be fun to post a montage of video clips from some of my packrafting adventures in 2017. I couldn’t find any decent royalty-free music, so please add your own music. There’s footage of a V2 DIY Packraft Read more…
Nikki’s parents were visiting over the holiday weekend and they wanted to try out the new packraft, so I took the opportunity to take a few pictures to share. You can see that the weather was much better than the previous weekend! Also, here is a new video of www.cubenmaker.com Read more…
Here are some pictures of the new V3 DIY Packraft. This one is the 120 size, and has a 420D floor (TPU on both sides) and 210D tubes. As it is now, without the top-up valve and tie-downs, the weight is 1635 grams, or 3.6 pounds. The V3 is a Read more…
I’ve been working on a new packraft design for some time now, incorporating several improvements over the current V2 kits, including tougher floor material, easier construction, more sizes, and better performance. I might shut down the current V2 kit option in the online shop until the V3 is ready for Read more…
Some time ago I posted a page about making your own inflation bag*, and since then several people have asked me to supply parts so they won’t have to spend time and money sourcing them elsewhere. In response, I’ve designed an inflation bag that costs the same as one meter Read more…
It’s been a while since I uploaded any new pictures or videos, so when I went paddling today my plan was to bring my cameras and get some interesting shots; unfortunately, I managed to forget both my tripod and my GoPro, so I ended up just taking a few photos Read more…
Below are patterns for making spray decks like the one pictured above, designed to fit Small, Medium, and Large V2 DIY Packrafts (and V2 plans). They can also be modified to fit the V3 DIY Packraft as well. This is a permanently-attached “whitewater” style deck that uses a separate spray Read more…
Here’s the newest how-to video – I’ve posted text+pictures instructions here š
I will be offering high strength 210D nylon-66 with a thin polyurethane (PU) coating on one side and a thicker, heat sealable polyurethane (TPU) coating on the other side (see Fabrics for definitions), and also a lighter weight 40D (320T) nylon-66, also with TPU and PU coatings. Nylon-66 is the Read more…
Several of you taller folks have been asking for a packraft that will accommodate your larger bodies better, and I’m happy to announce that I’m ready to ship plans for a packraft that has a cockpit length of about 128 cm (50.5″). I haven’t built one yet, but below are Read more…
Last weekend my friend Derek came for a visit and wanted to try out my DIY packraft. It was a windy day with some chop and even whitecaps on the lake, but he paddled it without difficulty. Just outside the frame of this photo is a kayaker being rescued after Read more…
I’ve just posted a video showing how to bond the curved seams in your DIY Packraft. Have a look and let me know if you have any questions or comments!
I made this video today to introduce my packraft and some of the techniques and materials I used to make it. Check it out and let me know what you think!
That’s the weight of this packraft prototype. I have far surpassed my goal of keeping it lighter than 1 kg… I’m pumped!
This weekend I went paddling with some friends on a local lake ā they in kayaks and canoes, and me in my newly finished DIY packraft prototype #3. Iām happy to report that it performed well and, just as importantly, I finally managed to take some pictures! Here are some Read more…
Until now, the packraft market has been dominated by expensive brands offering a limited range of boats, with few options for customization. Owners complain of flaws in their rafts and boats that are heavier than advertised, but what can they do? With so little competition in the market, there is Read more…