Preview: Gear Tips for Camp Cruising – The Packraft

15 Responses So Far to “Gear Tips for Camp Cruising – The Packraft”

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  David Tew says:

  The opening scene of you and Amy on Little Hen is wonderful. Such a sweet camping spot.

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  Ron Mueller says:

  Thanks for the inspiration. I agree, after my own research, that the XPD is the best choice with it’s white water raft durability. Will use for shore access with the Ilur but leaving mid-March for a SW Arizona road trip. Fellows got to have a boat if there’s a patch of water about.😁

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  Jeff Patrick says:

  Does the user get a wet butt? Because it would seem inevitable that feet will bring aboard a bit of water.

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    Steve Stone says:

    Good question Jeff. There’s an inflatable seat that keeps you above any water in the bilge.

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  Mark Weber says:

  My wife and I found an inflatable two person kayak that we have been using as a dinghy for our 21’ center console for about three years now. It gets us both to shore and also gives the chance to ferry other passengers. Has a reinforced bottom for the beaches. Works great and is very easy to stow – especially partially or fully deflated.

  It’s not the same as a hard-sided dinghy, but it sure works for us

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  William Real says:

  I’d be curious to see video of you getting from the Caledonia into the Packraft and vice versa. Is this difficult?

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    Steve Stone says:

    Good question. Should have filmed that, but will have to wait until summer. Super easy to get from HOWDY to the packraft. Getting from sitting to standing in the packraft (to get aboard HOWDY) takes two hands on the rail and then a little rocking action to get momentum to stand up, but other than that super easy and stable. Never tried getting on knees and then standing up but that might be easier.

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  Andrew Rice says:

  I built a Farrier 22 folding trimaran (vacuum bagged fiberglass foam composite – can I still post here?). We enjoy cruising, but it’s not a boat that has a large load carrying ability, so choosing a shore boat took a lot of pondering. I opted to go a similar route, getting an Alpaka Forager packraft. And it’s . . . red :-) Definitely pops in pictures and video.
  I wanted to take two adults and a 45# dog, so the 500# displacement and larger size works great — all weighing about 15#’s! My wife goes ashore and easily carries it above the tide line.
  I was worried about sharp rocks, barnacles, dog claws etc., but after a couple years and 8 weeks of use that hasn’t been an issue. And we’ve used it river rafting, taken on day hikes etc.
  I will say that my version is self bailing, a feature I’ve come to really like. But how this design is implemented means that it isn’t something that I can tow (it’s intended use is white water rafting where you’re moving with the water not through it, at least faster than paddling – google ‘alpaka forager Grand Canyon’ for short video). So I put it on my port net. Heavier weather crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca or similar, it’s easily deflated and stored.

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    Christopher Prinos says:

    That Alpaka looks pretty good. Had to laugh at your comment because I came to this page looking for options to go with a Corsair 760 (but I still like wooden boats too!)

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  chris walker says:

  Now, that is something to seriously consider. I had rented sit-on-top kayaks before but they are cumbersome to haul aboard and lash down. My favourite of these is a Perception Tribe 11.5 which weighs about 55 lbs and adds considerable wind age when lashed down to the cabin top. But, this looks like a really good alternative choice. Thanks, I’m going to investigate further!
  Chris
  Comox, Vancouver Island

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  Jonathan Cons says:

  How hard is it to roll up and stow in a small sailboat?

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    Steve Stone says:

    Much easier that I would have thought, Jonathan. It deflates quickly with reverse/deflate airflow from either pump and then rolls up well into their Animas River Bag. I think my bag may be the “L” rather than the “XL”, not sure but will let you know once I find out. This setup fits everything snuggly into what is essentially a medium mesh duffel bag so it all dries out without mildew.

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  Carlos Tessi says:

  Hi Steve,
  An excellent recommendation for a small sailboat.
  I am getting a red one, a great color option for visibility in case it has to be used in an emergency.
  You recommend the tracking fin but it is not listed as a compatible accessory for the XPD.
  Carlos

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    Steve Stone says:

    I picked up a red one for the same reason, Carlos. That’s something I didn’t mention in the video, but I’m also thinking of it as a last-option life raft if things ever came to that. Thus the red. Geoff Kerr has the green one now and every time I see it I’ll be very jealous of how it blends into the scenery much better rather than singing out for attention like the red one will, but at least it’ll match the sheer strake color and on the very very slim chance I’d ever need it as a life raft, the read will be much easier to spot from the water or the air.

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  David Howes says:

  The pack raft could be a solution in larger single handed cruising boats, too. Towing a dinghy with wind vane steering is troublesome because the towline tends to get caught in the gear. Lifting a dinghy aboard and lashing down when heading out in the morning is a headache and can be difficult when it is breezy or rough in the anchorage.
  These look like a great solution. Thank you for sharing the idea.