DIY packraft

Talk about anything.

Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew

User avatar
Charliecres
Posts: 1453
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm

DIY packraft

Post by Charliecres »

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?
Taylor
Posts: 3423
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:27 pm
Location: Brizzle
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Taylor »

Why did you have to show me this? :roll:
User avatar
whitestone
Posts: 7847
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 10:20 am
Location: Skipton(ish)
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by whitestone »

There was a thread about these a couple of weeks ago in the other place.
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
User avatar
JohnClimber
Posts: 3907
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:41 pm

Re: DIY packraft

Post by JohnClimber »

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
User avatar
Ian
Posts: 4653
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:10 pm
Location: Scotlandshire
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Ian »

Taylor wrote:Why did you have to show me this? :roll:
Wot he said... :o
User avatar
Charliecres
Posts: 1453
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Charliecres »

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.
Taylor
Posts: 3423
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:27 pm
Location: Brizzle
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Taylor »

I was thinking about the Iron raft as any problems can hopefully be sorted real time rather than 6 hours behind.
Blair512
Posts: 646
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2015 5:27 pm
Location: Falkirk
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Blair512 »

Always fancied a packraft, £180 is pretty affordable, not sure my DIY skills are to be trusted in fast flowing water :lol:
Image
User avatar
Charliecres
Posts: 1453
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Charliecres »

Well I’ve ordered a medium Iron Raft. Watch this space
User avatar
Bearbonesnorm
Posts: 23904
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
Location: my own little world

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

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 :wink:
May the bridges you burn light your way
User avatar
Charliecres
Posts: 1453
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Charliecres »

Also just ordered one of these sealing irons

https://m.reichelt.com/gb/en/index.html ... 46&LA=1100

Quite excited :smile:
User avatar
Lawmanmx
Posts: 590
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2015 7:52 pm
Location: Wigan

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Lawmanmx »

one hundred and eighty quid for a bag of rubber shaped material :o Really :shock:
User avatar
Bearbonesnorm
Posts: 23904
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
Location: my own little world

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

Remember Tone, the cost of something isn't always an indicator to its value.
May the bridges you burn light your way
ScotRoutes
Posts: 8144
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:56 am

Re: DIY packraft

Post by ScotRoutes »

Tip:

Make sure you get a seat, deck and tie-downs
User avatar
99percentchimp
Posts: 1057
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:46 pm
Location: North Wales!

Re: DIY packraft

Post by 99percentchimp »

Charliecres wrote:Well I’ve ordered a medium Iron Raft. Watch this space
Nice one! Pictures and updates as they happen please - I feel a winter project coming on :-bd
Conquistador of the pointless
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99percentchimp/
User avatar
Alpinum
Posts: 2603
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:38 pm

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Alpinum »

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 :oops:

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...
ScotRoutes wrote:Tip: Make sure you get a seat, deck and tie-downs
+1 Backrest makes a big difference too. For river runing I use a foam pad cut to shape under my feet.

I still have only one (Alpacka Yak, cruiser deck and cargo zip) and like it much for its versatility.
Image

Seriously good fun. Don't forget professional training though. There's a lot to learn about navigating water.
User avatar
Alpinum
Posts: 2603
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:38 pm

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Alpinum »

Charliecres wrote:Well I’ve ordered a medium Iron Raft. Watch this space
:-bd
Will do :smile:
User avatar
johnnystorm
Posts: 3947
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:55 pm
Location: Eastern (Anglia) Front

Re: DIY packraft

Post by johnnystorm »

At some point I'll find the time to take my Klymit raft for a paddle....
Image
User avatar
Zippy
Posts: 3059
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 6:43 pm
Location: Suffolk
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Zippy »

Interesting. Shall watch this being built - put it in the MYOG section.

I've been tempted by a paddleboard recently... :smile:
Taylor
Posts: 3423
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:27 pm
Location: Brizzle
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Taylor »

User avatar
Charliecres
Posts: 1453
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Charliecres »

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
User avatar
Ian
Posts: 4653
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:10 pm
Location: Scotlandshire
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Ian »

Zippy wrote:Interesting. Shall watch this being built - put it in the MYOG section.

I've been tempted by a paddleboard recently... :smile:
You’re not the only one - on both counts :smile:
User avatar
gairym
Posts: 3137
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).

Re: DIY packraft

Post by gairym »

Ian wrote:
Zippy wrote:Interesting. Shall watch this being built - put it in the MYOG section.

I've been tempted by a paddleboard recently... :smile:
You’re not the only one - on both counts :smile:
+1 :-bd
Blair512
Posts: 646
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2015 5:27 pm
Location: Falkirk
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Blair512 »

gairym wrote:
Ian wrote:
Zippy wrote:Interesting. Shall watch this being built - put it in the MYOG section.

I've been tempted by a paddleboard recently... :smile:
You’re not the only one - on both counts :smile:
+1 :-bd
Also tempted on a paddleboard, mostly because it's the only way I can think of getting into Grangemouth docks for a veloveiwer square!
Image
Taylor
Posts: 3423
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:27 pm
Location: Brizzle
Contact:

Re: DIY packraft

Post by Taylor »

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?
Post Reply