Thread: Pack Rafts

Recently I was lucky enough to do a trip in South Westland that involved the use of Pack Rafts to get up a wee lake - a big thank-you to @akaroa1 who organised, led and equipped the trip.

I'm definitely interested in the future possibilities of these little craft, and am about to start thinking about my own one. It would be great to hear about other peoples experiences (good and bad) in using these for accessing spots otherwise off limits due to deep water and any conclusions you may have reached.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from folks who had little or no previous experience in whitewater using them in the lower grades (dammed if I'd be out in one in anything much above grade 2, but that's from the perspective of a longtime keeler sailor with a deep mistrust of small boats!!).

@Tentman it looks like you are stuck with me and grade 3 packrafting!

That lake was grade 0 anyway but grade 5 dangerously cold !

I will have to come down south this winter and we can do a mission across a certain lake
@KiwiinSeattle has one also

Originally Posted by akaroa1

@Tentman it looks like you are stuck with me and grade 3 packrafting!

That lake was grade 0 anyway but grade 5 dangerously cold !

I will have to come down south this winter and we can do a mission across a certain lake
@KiwiinSeattle has one also

When you said "grade one" I immediately thought "but grade 10 cold if you fell in". Did you follow the true right edge or just go straight up the guts?

True left going up and right coming down. It was very flat with only a few knots of wind. The rafts seem pretty forgiving but I wonder what would happen if one got caught out in an exposed bit of water in a willi-war type scenario. I suspect a capsize might be quickly fatal in cold water.

Only one way to find out I guess, get one and learn its tricks. They do seem like a much better bet than a kayak for anyone who can't Eskimo roll/otherwise recover promptly.

@Tentman you should have taken the alpaca with you

We need to find a way to get it down to you with your tent

Count me in for a test trip


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Originally Posted by MSL

Count me in for a test trip


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You're in the wrong island

I wonder if anyone has packrafted the Cook strait ?

Originally Posted by MSL

Count me in for a test trip


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I’m only a handful of days run from being in the right spot


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My Koaro arrived this week , sam was mint to deal with.
I have zero experience at all with rafting so will be interesting learning curve.
I have ordered a 4 piece carbon/plastic paddle from blueduck packrafting , was the best value paddle I could find on google. Hugh was also great to deal with.

Originally Posted by savage270

My Koaro arrived this week , sam was mint to deal with.
I have zero experience at all with rafting so will be interesting learning curve.
I have ordered a 4 piece carbon/plastic paddle from blueduck packrafting , was the best value paddle I could find on google. Hugh was also great to deal with.

@savage270 good one
Yes Sam's a grat guy and makes a very good Packraft
I will be over at ikamatua again within the next 2 weeks

Originally Posted by akaroa1

@savage270 good one
Yes Sam's a grat guy and makes a very good Packraft
I will be over at ikamatua again within the next 2 weeks

If im not up the hills i should be able to sneak away for a day or so, keen as

Finally a few other hunters are getting packrafts !

I ended up with three so friends could join me
Three is the magic number just like most types of trips

Here ya go everything from grade 0 to 6 (also known as commercial suicide)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGo84f9umAk

Enjoy

Originally Posted by Sideshow

Here ya go everything from grade 0 to 6 (also known as commercial suicide)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGo84f9umAk

Enjoy

Nope nope nope and nope