DIY packraft
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
- Charliecres
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm
DIY packraft
I’m about to order a packraft kit and thought I’d check if anyone on here had any experience or wisdom to share.
The options seem to be:
http://www.diypackraft.com
Or
http://www.iron-raft.co.uk
The first is US-based and more expensive once you factor in shipping and duty. However, there’s an established community of diy builders and tons of positive feedback.
The second is UK-based, a bit cheaper but much more of an unknown quantity.
Given all that, I’m currently favouring the US option but I’d rather go UK.
Anyone have any info to sway me?
The options seem to be:
http://www.diypackraft.com
Or
http://www.iron-raft.co.uk
The first is US-based and more expensive once you factor in shipping and duty. However, there’s an established community of diy builders and tons of positive feedback.
The second is UK-based, a bit cheaper but much more of an unknown quantity.
Given all that, I’m currently favouring the US option but I’d rather go UK.
Anyone have any info to sway me?
Re: DIY packraft
Why did you have to show me this?
- whitestone
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Re: DIY packraft
There was a thread about these a couple of weeks ago in the other place.
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
- JohnClimber
- Posts: 3928
- Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:41 pm
Re: DIY packraft
I chatted with the guy from Iron Raft last year when he was just setting it up.
I loved the idea but I wouldn't trust myself to build it.
He said he didn't have the time to make them up either
I loved the idea but I wouldn't trust myself to build it.
He said he didn't have the time to make them up either
Re: DIY packraft
Wot he said...Taylor wrote:Why did you have to show me this?
- Charliecres
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm
Re: DIY packraft
So, if no one has any experience it looks like I’m going to be the guinea pig. Reckon I’ll go with DIY Packraft.
Re: DIY packraft
I was thinking about the Iron raft as any problems can hopefully be sorted real time rather than 6 hours behind.
Re: DIY packraft
Always fancied a packraft, £180 is pretty affordable, not sure my DIY skills are to be trusted in fast flowing water
- Charliecres
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm
Re: DIY packraft
Well I’ve ordered a medium Iron Raft. Watch this space
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: DIY packraft
Look forward to seeing how you go on Charles. I love the idea of a packraft but given the fairly limited opportunities, I could never justify something like an Alpaka but £180 coupled with a love of making stuff - who knows
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Charliecres
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm
Re: DIY packraft
Also just ordered one of these sealing irons
https://m.reichelt.com/gb/en/index.html ... 46&LA=1100
Quite excited
https://m.reichelt.com/gb/en/index.html ... 46&LA=1100
Quite excited
Re: DIY packraft
one hundred and eighty quid for a bag of rubber shaped material Really
- Bearbonesnorm
- Posts: 23983
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Re: DIY packraft
Remember Tone, the cost of something isn't always an indicator to its value.
May the bridges you burn light your way
-
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- Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:56 am
Re: DIY packraft
Tip:
Make sure you get a seat, deck and tie-downs
Make sure you get a seat, deck and tie-downs
- 99percentchimp
- Posts: 1057
- Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:46 pm
- Location: North Wales!
Re: DIY packraft
Nice one! Pictures and updates as they happen please - I feel a winter project coming onCharliecres wrote:Well I’ve ordered a medium Iron Raft. Watch this space
Conquistador of the pointless
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99percentchimp/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99percentchimp/
Re: DIY packraft
I have no expierence with DIY packrafts but find both kits highly interesting. I guess quite some exchange about the US boat can be translated to the UK one. Biggest issue I found would be getting/making the right iron to heat seal them
For some hikes it'd be handy to have a lightweight raft to cross unfordable rivers or small fjords - just like the DYI boat. But for more water focussed trips I rather go with a sturdy boat like the classic Alpacka series or even heavier. It's quite amazing what a difference proper contact to the boat makes, once in or beyond WW III
As with bikes... Depending on what you intend to do, the DYI kit seems are very good option.
There's this risk, that once you have gotten into it, you'll want more, ending up with as many boats as bikes...
I still have only one (Alpacka Yak, cruiser deck and cargo zip) and like it much for its versatility.
Seriously good fun. Don't forget professional training though. There's a lot to learn about navigating water.
For some hikes it'd be handy to have a lightweight raft to cross unfordable rivers or small fjords - just like the DYI boat. But for more water focussed trips I rather go with a sturdy boat like the classic Alpacka series or even heavier. It's quite amazing what a difference proper contact to the boat makes, once in or beyond WW III
As with bikes... Depending on what you intend to do, the DYI kit seems are very good option.
There's this risk, that once you have gotten into it, you'll want more, ending up with as many boats as bikes...
+1 Backrest makes a big difference too. For river runing I use a foam pad cut to shape under my feet.ScotRoutes wrote:Tip: Make sure you get a seat, deck and tie-downs
I still have only one (Alpacka Yak, cruiser deck and cargo zip) and like it much for its versatility.
Seriously good fun. Don't forget professional training though. There's a lot to learn about navigating water.
Re: DIY packraft
Charliecres wrote:Well I’ve ordered a medium Iron Raft. Watch this space
Will do
- johnnystorm
- Posts: 3958
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- Location: Eastern (Anglia) Front
Re: DIY packraft
At some point I'll find the time to take my Klymit raft for a paddle....
Re: DIY packraft
Interesting. Shall watch this being built - put it in the MYOG section.
I've been tempted by a paddleboard recently...
I've been tempted by a paddleboard recently...
Re: DIY packraft
Cheap packable paddle
https://www.lomo.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000088 ... tml#SID=67
https://www.lomo.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000088 ... tml#SID=67
- Charliecres
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm
Re: DIY packraft
Good spot on that Lomo paddle. I was looking at this one https://www.nswatersports.co.uk/paddles ... gKk_PD_BwE
Or this one, which looks better quality and is quite a bit lighter
https://www.packrafting-store.de/Paddle ... kf1604us02
Or this one, which looks better quality and is quite a bit lighter
https://www.packrafting-store.de/Paddle ... kf1604us02
Re: DIY packraft
You’re not the only one - on both countsZippy wrote:Interesting. Shall watch this being built - put it in the MYOG section.
I've been tempted by a paddleboard recently...
- gairym
- Posts: 3139
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- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
Re: DIY packraft
+1Ian wrote:You’re not the only one - on both countsZippy wrote:Interesting. Shall watch this being built - put it in the MYOG section.
I've been tempted by a paddleboard recently...
Re: DIY packraft
Also tempted on a paddleboard, mostly because it's the only way I can think of getting into Grangemouth docks for a veloveiwer square!gairym wrote:+1Ian wrote:You’re not the only one - on both countsZippy wrote:Interesting. Shall watch this being built - put it in the MYOG section.
I've been tempted by a paddleboard recently...
Re: DIY packraft
So close to pressing that button. Might do it later.
Might get some of the extra material to make some eyelets if anybody wants to go halfs?
Might get some of the extra material to make some eyelets if anybody wants to go halfs?