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Thread: Who uses a packraft?

  1. #1
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    Who uses a packraft?

    Im looking at buying a packraft for fishing and hunting. Mostly for poking around West Coast/Fiordland rivers looking for remote trout or the occasional deer. No problems with a few rapids etc, grade 2, + maybe. But Im not into whitewater rafting for fun. So am looking for suggestions as to whats good and whats not. And am leaning towards a dry boat rather than self bailing.

  2. #2
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    being looking as well - worried about the "toughness"
    following thread

  3. #3
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    I have three

    Two of the NZ made Koara's and an Alpaca
    The Church of
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  4. #4
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    Dry boat for what you want.

    Because you get bloody wet from the paddles you want a dry boat and speed skirt.
    Even in flat water the drips from the paddles get you wet
    The spray skirt keeps you nice and warm when fishing.

    Two of mine have the T zip for pontoon internal storage.
    You can't really even paddle flat water with a heavy pack on the front.

    I have done 3+ white water in them easy.
    Micky Duck, RV1 and Husky1600#2 like this.
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sharki View Post
    being looking as well - worried about the "toughness"
    following thread
    Depending on what you buy because some are made of different material.
    But the two types I have are way way tougher than the pontoon material weight would suggest.

    The floor are slightly heavier than the pontoon
    You do need a semi inflated sleeping mat inside under you to avoid painful rocks on your butt when running white water
    RV1 and Husky1600#2 like this.
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    of the Later-Day Shooter

  6. #6
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    And you will need to invest a vast fortune into building a specialised packrafting rifle.
    Either a short Baikal 307 or a G1 Contender 30-30.

    But a short rifles sits perfectly between your legs under the spray skirt
    Micky Duck, makka and Husky1600#2 like this.
    The Church of
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    of the Later-Day Shooter

  7. #7
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    Interssting!
    I have been pondering the same thing, was looking at the "expedition raft co" packrafts, they seem to carry a decent load (man,pack,rifle,meat)
    Not overly concerned about weight as i'm thinking fly in paddle out type stuff, also have ZERO experience in a packraft.

  8. #8
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    They are also good for fly in trips where there's a big river to cross near camp
    Means you can keep dry feet in big rivers

    Put an endless rope on it so mates can drag it back and use it also

    You ideally want a long tail one for a better hull speed

    I have a pop up kayak sail and if the wind is in the right sector you can cover big water fast

    There are a lot of other items you need though.
    If walking in you will want a carbon fiber break down paddle.
    I have inflatable PFDs. Not the Co2 ones but one you blow up when using it. Folds down tiny but not sold in NZ
    You really want a throw rope, rescue rope if doing white water in a group
    I wear my climbing helmet when running big white water. But have had several concuconcussions ( not packrafting ) , so a bit cautious.

    I always have a no minimum weight flat water Packraft in my truck when in the high country. Great to nip across a lake or river to get the wind or Sun on you or off you when fishing
    Micky Duck likes this.
    The Church of
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    of the Later-Day Shooter

  9. #9
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    12 ft alloy with an outboard jet on it

    Carry more food/ camping supplies and deer
    Micky Duck likes this.
    A big fast bullet beats a little fast bullet every time

  10. #10
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    Tough to fit in the helicopter though!

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sika 8 View Post
    Tough to fit in the helicopter though!
    Take the hilux
    Sika 8 likes this.
    A big fast bullet beats a little fast bullet every time

  12. #12
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    What make/model do u have akaroa1?

  13. #13
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    2x Koaro T zip long tail, spray skirts, knee straps and extra loops for a full rigging rope around the top sides to attach gear which is very handy for fishing

    And an older Alpaca short tail with spray skirt
    Smaller and lighter and easier to use if just doing a short crossing
    But lower hull speed and doesn't track as straight

    You need the T zip storage if you want to multi day trip and hunt
    Keeps the center of gravity low
    It's hard to run white water with a pack in your vision because you are sitting at water level

    NEVER ENTER A RAPID THAT YOU CAN'T SEE INTO
    SOME HAVE A LIP SO STEEP YOU CAN'T SEE OVER IT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.

    I HAVE BEEN FULLY AIRBORNE IN A PACKRAFT
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  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by akaroa1 View Post
    2x Koaro T zip long tail, spray skirts, knee straps and extra loops for a full rigging rope around the top sides to attach gear which is very handy for fishing

    And an older Alpaca short tail with spray skirt
    Smaller and lighter and easier to use if just doing a short crossing
    But lower hull speed and doesn't track as straight

    You need the T zip storage if you want to multi day trip and hunt
    Keeps the center of gravity low
    It's hard to run white water with a pack in your vision because you are sitting at water level

    NEVER ENTER A RAPID THAT YOU CAN'T SEE INTO
    SOME HAVE A LIP SO STEEP YOU CAN'T SEE OVER IT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.

    I HAVE BEEN FULLY AIRBORNE IN A PACKRAFT
    What are your thoughts on the "Expedition packrafts" here in NZ, a good design compared to what you use? Or do you see flaws etc... ?

    Interested to hear your opinion as someone who has rafts & has been there done that, i still have zero experience with packrafts except the nagging urge to buy one

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sika 8 View Post
    What are your thoughts on the "Expedition packrafts" here in NZ, a good design compared to what you use? Or do you see flaws etc... ?

    Interested to hear your opinion as someone who has rafts & has been there done that, i still have zero experience with packrafts except the nagging urge to buy one
    They look like just another reverse engineered packraft

    There are lots more options now
    Price will indicate quality
    It all depends how much use you will actually get from it
    The Church of
    John Browning
    of the Later-Day Shooter

 

 

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