Packraft Care: Troubleshooting.
Welcome to the final installment of our "Packraft Care" series! If you’ve read the other two parts of this blog series, you should know the fundamentals of getting your packraft inflated and on the water and how to clean and store it. But what do you do when trouble strikes?
Your zipper is stuck and full of sand, and you have a hole in the raft! Here are two common problems and how to fix them. We’ve also put together a list of a great Packraft Repair Kit to have on hand!
If you missed part one and two, check out part one: How to set up and inflate your packraft, and part two: How to clean and store your packraft.
How to Troubleshoot/Fix your Packraft:
How to Fix Sticking Packraft Zips!
To keep your zip in tip-top shape, make sure you wipe any sand or dirt away from the zipper before opening or closing it - if there is sand or dirt in the zip, you can clean this away with a small cloth or an unused toothbrush - and if the grime is sticking, you can use soap and water as well.
Another thing to keep in mind is that zips do not like being bent (can cause leakage), so when storing the packraft, make sure the zipper stays nice and flat.
A simple way to help the zipper stay happy and un-bent is to always make sure the zip is closed when transporting or storing your packraft. This will prevent damage to the sealing lip and keep the zipper resistant to bending. But make sure to keep your zip open when drying your packraft and only close it to store when it’s fully dry.
It's also a good idea to lubricate (sparingly) the head of the zipper if you're storing it away, taking it out of storage, or just about to use the packraft. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for lubricating your zip - as they vary. Here are Alpacka’s instructions and MRS’s instructions.
At the end of the packraft season, or if you're planning on storing your boat away for a long time, it's crucial to pay extra attention to the lubrication of the zip - again, following the guidelines from the manufacturer of your packraft (they’re all different!)
How to repair holes in your packraft.
For detailed repair instructions, check out the MRS User's Manual, the Alpacka resources on their repair guide page (they’re so detailed!), or your packraft brand manual. If you are desperate for a fix, here are some tips....
First, you know you have a hole, but how the heck do you find it?
There are three ways you can check for holes in your packraft. And it's much like finding a hole in a sleeping mat...
- You can blow up the packraft, listening for the air escaping, and/or run your hand over the raft to feel for air escaping.
- You can spray soapy water on the raft and watch for the soap to bubble.
- You can submerge the raft in water - either fully if you have a big enough body of water, or bit by bit if you have a smaller body of water and look for bubbles in the water.
Things to note when repairing holes: Make sure the area is 100% DRY - nothing will stick if it’s wet, clean the area using an alcohol wipe, and always deflate your packraft when repairing.
For a small hole or leak: After making sure the area is clean and dry, brush on some Aquaseal-FD 10mm wider than the hole on all sides and leave it to cure for 8-12 hours. You will have a flexible, durable, and waterproof covering. For extra protection, you can add a clear Tenacious Tape Flex Patch or Tyvek Tape on top (make sure they stick to dry material or they won't stick). You can also add extra Aquaseal to the patch edges for more durability.
For a large hole: Use the same steps as above, and if you can, add a patch to the inside of the raft to improve durability. If you don’t want to add a patch to the inside, before you start the outer repair, create a backing of masking tape inside the hole to strengthen it for the surface repair.
For seats: Use the same technique for holes, with Aquaseal, or add a flexible patch.
For the floor: Fix the hole with a patch made of the same material as the packraft flooring; most brands, like Alpacka and MRS, have this as part of a repair kit.
What to put in your Packrafting Field Repair Kit:
Sometimes you’re going to be out, and about when disaster strikes, so it always pays to have a field repair kit on hand! Here are some things to keep in your kit:
- Aquaseal UV - dries instantly when exposed to sunlight!
- Zip Lube - for those sticky zips!
- Clean toothbrush or soft cloth - for cleaning zips or applying lube.
- Tenacious Tape.
- A patch made of the actual material your packraft is made of - MRS and Alpacka have these.
- Tyvek Tape - This is the most effective field tape as it layers on itself and doesn’t peel easily.
- Alcohol Wipes.
- Spare O-Rings/Gaskets/Valves and Bits.
- Knife or scissors.
Hopefully, this series has helped you learn how to keep your packraft happy and on the water.
Our team is always available via phone, email, or in-store for any questions you may have or if you want to get on the packraft train! And you can always check out the resources and info that are available for FREE at Packrafting Trips NZ! (Thanks Dan!)
Our Top 5 Tips for Fixing Holes and Sticky Zips in Packrafts:
1. Don't bend zips when folding the packraft.
2. Wipe away sand and dirt before opening the zip.
3. Lubricate the zipper before putting the packraft into any kind of long storage.
4. Always have some Gear Aid Aquaseal on hand for fixing holes - Aquaseal UV if you want a fast drying solution!
5. For temporary fixes or for extra protection on top of Aquaseal, you can add Tenacious Tape Patches or Tyvek Tape!
Looking for your next great read? Check out this packrafting adventure blog: Packrafting the Hollyford.
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