DIY Packraft Maiden Voyage

It took me over a year to build my DIY Packraft, but all the hours spent chasing down air leaks (and smearing on more than a pound of seam sealer) finally led to my maiden voyage down the Uncompahgre River in Montrose, Colorado. And, since I travel solo, the only way to get back to my truck was to hoof it up-river! #LiveFree

[@roy4028]

Thanks for the video. They look fun but like you said challenging to build. Montrose is a cool area. I like how you kept the music in the background, not overwhelming.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Yup, I love that area, hope to get back out there this summer! Cheers!

[@isaacmayer407]

Wow, your video quality deserves much more attention than it's getting

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Allibow]

Nice video dude 😎

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!

[@odakyuodakyu6650]

"It took me over a year to build my DIY Packraft, but all the hours spent chasing down air leaks (and smearing on more than a pound of seam sealer)" hahahah. exactly the same problem!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Haha, yup, but it floats, so it was worth it...I think! Haha!

[@odakyuodakyu6650]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens what product did you use to seal the seams?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

@@odakyuodakyu6650 I think I used Seam Grip from Gear Aid, but I can't remember for sure.

[@odakyuodakyu6650]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens ahh ok, im in a different country but its just good to know brand names cause it can be useful.

[@artcabrera4075]

So a year now how tuff is this diy would you trust it on a serious back country trip,ty great build great video.???

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Ha, well, I probably wouldn't have trusted it with a serious back country trip the day that I finished it, ha! I'm just using it for fun now, but if I wanted to do a real trip I'd probably buy a professionally made packraft. Cheers!

[@artcabrera4075]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens ty enjoy.

[@rangerdoc1029]

Was it the kit, or did you source your own material.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

It was the kit from DIY packraft in Canada: www.diypackraft.com/

[@sozekeysersoze]

That cap looks awesome. What make/model is it?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

The cap on the truck is an old Leer canopy shell that came with my Tacoma when I bought it used. Cheers!

[@NateSail82]

It took you a year to make that? Riiiight how many actual hours did it take?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Ha, well...I was tracking the hours I had into it to compare to buying a pre-made packraft...I stopped tracking at 70 or 80 hours because it was making me sick, ha! It just took a really long time to find all the tiny leaks I had before it would float

[@glengullickson6538]

Where was that video shot? (Town?)

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

This was at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Montrose, Colorado

[@stefsmuppet]

Sell em man. I would def buy one. What's the weight of the pack raft

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! I'm not sure what the exact weight is...I bought the DIY Packraft because it was simple and light, but I added like a pound of seam sealer, haha, so that kinda defeated the purpose of lightweight, but at least it floats!

[@dankjungle]

Brih. Is that Washington?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

It was actually in Montrose, Colorado. A pretty fun day for sure!

[@baconmeggo776]

Interested in doing my own. Has it held up since you posted this video?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

I've only used it a few times. I'm not sure why, but it took me a really really long time to get it to hold air. I used several bottles of seam sealer....it is a great kit and a good project, but if I had to do it over again I'd probably buy a professionally built packraft. Good luck!

[@odakyuodakyu6650]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens same.

[@dannylockett9445]

good job. why do you think it was so challenging to make it air tight the first time?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

I think I just didn't seal the seams well enough with the heat iron. I was tracking down lots of small air leaks and eventually just used seam sealer on all the seams to be sure!

[@dannylockett9445]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens did you use one of the irons he recommended or something else? Do you have any other recommendations for someone considering this DIY option or know of where I can find more information in the form of reviews, etc? Look forward to seeing your long term review and adventures along the way. Cheers.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yup, I used the recommended iron. If you can maybe find something more industrial it would help, I think some of his new videos look like he has a different iron that kinda looks better. It was a task, I probably put in a solid 50+ hours, maybe closer to 70 or more. It took longer than I expected, but all in all it's relatively simple. If I were to do it over again, with the amount of hours I put into it, I'd probably buy one already done from Alpaca or Kokopelli.

[@robertruff7460]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens I have an Alpackaraft Classic Llama but I'm going to make a DIY one as well. With regards to that chinese leather iron that's recommended, a big advantage would be to use a step up/down voltage converter. Don't know if you did that or just plugged it in with US 110V AC. Using a converter to get 220V makes a difference in getting that iron heated to the most effective temp for heat sealing the TPU. Your raft still looks good and I'm willing to bet the seams will hold up for many years and even if you do find more leaks in the future, just use the Aquaseal or Seam Grip to fix it. Those are permanent fixes once they cure. Also, Tyvek tape is your friend.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

@@robertruff7460 Awesome, thanks! I didn't use a voltage converter, but, that makes a lot of sense!

[@mandarin1257]

Nice! Is it from diypackraft.com ?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yup, great products and service!

[@mandarin1257]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens I'm building one with my dad :)