The difference with Alpacka Raft packrafts

We have a fleet of packrafts and tell the difference of them. We work in the Packraft Europe, Europe's official Alpacka Raft dealer, and we have used all of these.

[@hoser7706]

Great breakdown, thank you. So much to learn ablut each it is great to get PK like this.

[@marbleshikes]

Great video. Just what I was looking for.

[@caide]

Thanks man!

[@andreallanbusarello]

Hi Caj, how does it feel to paddle the wolverine full day? I had a touring kayak before for lake paddling but I am looking to get a wolverine as I want to move to rivers class 1-3 now. Not sure if having my knees bent all day is confortable, on the kayak I could just strech my legs inside but for what I saw there isn't too much space inside the wolverine. I was looking to get the size medium because it has 112cm interior length and my sit length is 104cm so I would have 8cm of extra space to strech my legs.

[@caide]

It is fine to paddle whole day. You should choose the size from the size chart. You can size up for more "comfortable", but I would do it only, if you are between the sizes.

[@caide]

You are actually between sizes and I believe the medium is good choice for you.

[@andreallanbusarello]

I see, thanks for the info!

[@andreallanbusarello]

@@caide I received my Wolverine and man, it fits like a glove :) Did a test with my bike strapped on the bow today and does the job too haha.

[@caide]

@@andreallanbusarello Congrats, you will love it.

[@jamesseely1163]

Love the video! Any chance you could do a version showing them rolled up? I'm super curious what the difference in size is when they are packed up? Especially the gnarwall vs the wolverine vs expedition?

[@caide]

With those tree the difference with rolls is so small, that you can't really see it. But you can see the difference with 420D and 210D, 420D is a little bit more difficult to roll tightly.

[@alanhunter2051]

13.05 the Gnarwhal is the exact model colour and 420 deniar. That you for your advice.

[@caide]

Sorry, now I didn't understand.

[@alanhunter2051]

@@caide the blue Gnarwhal is exactly the same as the one I bought. You gave me really helpful advice on which one is best for me on one of your previous videos.

[@caide]

@@alanhunter2051 Okei, Now I understand. I hope you are happy with it :)

[@alanhunter2051]

@@caide it's fantastic and way better than I hoped it would be

[@caide]

@@alanhunter2051 Nice to hear. It's an awesome raft.

[@augustakesson5266]

Hi! Thanks for great video! How is the Gnarwhal on flat water? Is it tracking better or worse than the Wolverine? What is the longest flatwater paddle you done with the Gnarwhal? If you ever tried the Caribou, how does that raft performe on flat water compared to the Gnarwhal? Thanks!

[@caide]

Gnarwhal is pretty much than the Wolverine. I havent used Caribou for longer distances, I dont know about speed. I would guess slower when its shorter. I have done long days in flat water, 30-40km.

[@augustakesson5266]

@@caide thanks for answer. What do you mean by "Gnarwhal is pretty much than the Wolverine"?

[@caide]

@@augustakesson5266 they are with same speed.

[@jskoet]

Great overview, thanks! In your experinece, how much weight can I put in wolverine and gnarwhal, and still handle well in whitewater (for multi day tips). And is it less for selfbailing versions?

[@caide]

You need to count the whole weight coming on thw raft. You, your clothes and gear. Gnarwhal can handle over 200kg, Wolverine 159kg and I tested SB Wolverine with 110kg total weight and it was stilö rocking!

[@ChristelVinot]

very interesting

[@danbosch1621]

Thank for your informative videos. What make and model paddle do you like for whitewater?

[@caide]

I have self bailer Wolverine and I use 4 different paddle 😁

[@merrillbirdno5251]

Great video, thank you! Have you used the Classic model? How does it compare to the ones you reviewed here? Also, I came across a video of you running Horn Creek Rapid in the Grand Canyon. Great recovery from a couple of near flips! What raft were you using there?

[@caide]

Thank you. Classic was my first packraft. It is very good raft, but more like the entry level. The seat back isn't so nice for a long term and I would use Expedition, but if one is with budget, then Classic is a good choice. I had the Gnarwhal selfbailer at the Grand Canyon trip.

[@robertbeckhamalways_explor2909]

Do you have any experience with the removable white water deck? I am thinking of going that route, just scared of the extra zippers failing.

[@caide]

I used the old Alpacka Spray skirt system, what was with zippers and velcros, but not the new one. I think it is good if you are careful and you paddle lakes. But if you do whitewater, I would take self bailer or the ww deck.

[@lesliegilmore2240]

Did Katja switch from the Gnarwhal to Wolverine because of size? I’m torn between the two but leaning towards Gnarwhal for stability. I’m 5’6” ish so not tiny, but on the edge of their recommendation.

[@caide]

Yes she did. Smaller tubes, easier for short person to paddle. Katja is 150cm.

[@affendihamzah5587]

Vhow to get one

[@caide]

You can buy these from packrafteurope.com

[@ATSrecordings]

Any chance you have videos or pics on these boats rolled up? I'm going for the gnarwhal SB 420d XL as soon it is in stock. So nice to see it here... But I'm also backpacking with it so I would like to see the roll.. I have 3 packrafts and they roll up very differently sizewise. Thank you for the Video

[@caide]

Wolverine and Expeditions rolls much easier than Gnarhwhal. But roll is mostly party trick with packrafts. If you sont have heavi loads, you could like SB Wolverine also.

[@ATSrecordings]

@@caide wow thank you for reply' I am 180cm 75kg.. my sit length is 113cm.. it feels like the Wolverine L would be cramped. But maybe it's worth it. Feels like a SB wolverine should be pretty easy to pack for journeys

[@caide]

@@ATSrecordings Yes, I have SB Wolverine. I am maybe 176cm and about 80kg. It works fine with a 20kg backpack. So the final weight with all the gear and shit about 100kg.

[@ATSrecordings]

@@caide ok yes that seems fine' it's more the leg room I'm worried about with the wolverine though.. and I realized now you thought I meant packraft "roll".. I will only selfrescue. but I meant the sizes when you "roll it up to pack it" I'm wondering if the gnarwhal takes much more space than the wolverine in a backpack for instance. (Thanks for your answers, appreciate it)

[@caide]

@@ATSrecordings oh yes, self rescue is different thing. With Gnarwhal you need good jump, because tubes are bigger, but it doesn't capsize so easily again. Woth Wolverine you get better on the raft, but it makes easily the second capsize. Self rescue with Gnarwhal is very difficult if you are short, but you are not. So if you have good technique, you will be fine with both. Self bailers are easier than WW decks.