Packrafts: features, manufacturer rating and selection criteria

The experience of fishing or camping largely depends on the quality and safety of the equipment used. Important on long journeys is the mass of inventory taken with you. Therefore, it is worth considering the features of popular packraft models, studying the main criteria for choosing these boats and getting acquainted with the rating of their manufacturers.

Packrafts are small and compact inflatable boats weighing up to 4.5 kg, which, when folded, have a width of no more than 40 cm. When inflated, the length of such goods is usually from 2 to 2.5 m. Such ease is achieved due to the use in the production of high-strength nylon instead of the more common rubber or vinyl for such products. Despite the ridiculous weight and dimensions by the standards of water transport, packrafts are highly durable and stable, which allows them to be used not only for fishing, but also for overcoming water obstacles during hiking and even for river rafting.

Another important feature of such a transport is inflation speed - thanks to the use of special pumps that come with the product, it can be fully inflated in 10 minutes.

Currently, packcraft remain a relatively new type of equipment, so their detailed and generally accepted classification has not yet been created. However, most tourists and reviewers divide these mini-boats into 4 main categories.

• Options for a quick (and sometimes unplanned) crossing of a river or lake during hiking trips. The main requirement for this category is compactness and low weight.

• Products for fishing. In terms of reliability, they do not differ much from the previous category, but usually they have a much larger capacity, which allows them to place the catch and all the necessary gear.

• Models for long expeditions involving rafting in difficult conditions. Such boats must be primarily reliable, for which you have to sacrifice a little compactness. Their weight is up to 4 kg, and when folded they have a width of up to 40 cm.

• Products for rafting on fast rivers, the most durable and reliable. The mass of such models can reach 4.5 kg. A prerequisite for products in this category is the presence of a reinforced bottom and a protective deck, which is designed to protect the rower from splashing water and gusts of wind.

Currently, such packraft manufacturers are the most famous.

• Produced by Sergey Karzhaev. This is an experienced tourist, the first in the Russian Federation to master the production of a new type of boat. He has developed many models of various categories. Its products are perfectly adapted to hiking and are lightweight and reliable.
• Alpacka is an American company, one of the world market leaders and popularizer of packrafting.
• Triton - a Russian company that produces cheap and reliable, but relatively heavy mini-boats.
• "Alloy" - a Russian company that produces options for alloys.
• redriver - Ukrainian company, known for inexpensive models with a load capacity of up to 180 kg.
• riverford- a Russian company that manufactures products for expeditions of medium complexity.
• Time Trial - a company from the Russian Federation, offering options for fishing and hiking.

Such products have received the greatest distribution in the Russian market.

• "Sandpiper" - a relatively cheap, lightest (1.4 kg) and compact version from S. Karzhaev for situational rafting and travel in calm waters. Despite the lightness, it is able to withstand a load of 170 kg.
• Red River A-1 - a cheap and durable option from the Ukrainian company RedRiver, with a load capacity of 180 kg and a length of 2.1 m. Due to the use of reinforced PVC in the design, the mass of this option is a solid 4.4 kg.
• Alpacka Scout - with a mass less than that of the "Kulik" (only 1.2 kg), this option is highly reliable. Of the minuses, it is worth noting the low carrying capacity (102 kg) and the high price.
• Packraft 180 - an option for quiet travel or fishing, weighing 2.1 kg, manufactured by Triton.
• "Tit" - "heavy truck" from S. Karzhaev, which, with a mass of 2.5 kg, is capable of carrying 175 kg of cargo. Thanks to the reinforced bottom, it holds well in rough water.
• "Ivolga" - the most reliable option from S. Karzhaev with a two-section balloon, an internal length of 160 cm and a mass of 3 kg.
• Alpacka Llama - one of the best expeditionary options with a mass of 2.7 kg. The main disadvantages are the high price and insufficiently spacious internal volume (length - 132 cm).
• Drakeboat - an analogue of the Llama model from the Splav company, it differs in a carrying capacity of 150 kg, a reinforced deck and a weight of 2.9 kg.
• Biluta Expedition - Robust two-piece expedition model from Riverford weighing 4.5 kg and 2.8 m long.
• "Sputnik 1" - a universal version from Time Trial with a length of 2.6 m and a weight of 3.7 kg. Capable of carrying 150 kg payload. The presence of a deck and a reinforced bottom allows it to be used for alloys of increased complexity. It is possible to purchase an elongated version of Sputnik 1U (length 3.1 m) and a two-seat model with an increased load capacity of Sputnik 2 up to a solid 250 kg.
• "FishPackraft" - fishing version of packraft from Time Trial. Equipped with holders for spinning rods and oars, as well as a seat. The rigging and layout are adapted for carrying gear. Inflated length - 2.7 m, weight - 4 kg. Able to carry up to 170 kg of cargo.
• Packraft 230D - This model from Triton is designed for rough waters, equipped with a deck and a reinforced bottom and has a mass of 3.15 kg with an internal length of 134 cm.

The versatility of packcraft also has a downside - in the basic configuration, they are less suitable for solving specific tasks than their more highly specialized counterparts. The way out of this situation can be the purchase and installation of additional accessories on your transport, which will better adapt the craft to your needs. The most popular among Russian packcrafters are the following accessories.

• Hermetic bag - used to protect transported things from splashing water, as well as a primitive seat.
• Nickels - a universal mounting system that is used to attach any other accessories to the surface of the boat.
• Seat and back - are used to increase comfort during long-term use of the boat - for example, for fishing or long-term rafting. Also recommended for installation in products that are planned to be used for white water rafting.
• Aprons, skirts and decks - are used for additional protection of the rower from water and wind.
• Hip stops - increase the maneuverability of the boat and make it easier to control it. Their installation is necessary for long trips and rafting with high categories of difficulty.
• Oar holders - necessary when fishing, installation in the model for alloys and remelting is impractical.
• Spinning holders - also used exclusively for fishing.
• Action camera stand - it is used by fans to save videos of their adventures. The setting makes sense in rafting boats.

Another very important additional accessory is additional oars, the presence of which will allow you to more confidently manage your water transport and use it in different situations. The most important factor influencing the characteristics of an oar is the shape of its working part. Concave spoon paddles will help you develop high speed when traveling on calm waters, while paddles with a flat blade are much more suitable for rafting on rough rivers.

Also, when choosing, it is worth considering the material from which the paddle is made - for turbulent rivers, it is worth buying a product made of carbon-kevlar composite, while for traveling on calm waters, simple models with a duralumin handle and a polyethylene spatula will suffice.

Regarding the length of the product:

• for alloys, oars less than 2 m long are suitable;
• for fishing, options with a length of 2.1 m are best suited;
• for long walks, it is better to take oars 2.3 m long.

In the next video you will find a detailed review of the Baseg packcraft.