I am interested as it is light and portable. Would appreciate hearing anyone's thoughts and experiences with one. Especially if you have used it in the ocean and/or rough water. Was watching a very cool YouTube of these guys packrafting. Made me think back on my last white water rafting trip a long time ago. Here we are, two of my sisters and a friend along with a guide, going into "The Devil's Toilet Bowl." So much fun.
That's a pack raft ??? You must have a big back pack ! Just kidding. I've used inflatable rafts way back in the day for fishing remote ponds in the Adirondacks but there's no way I'll be carrying one of these at my age ! These things weigh as much as a loaded backpack !
This one is 35 oz before paddles and PFD. Chinese - Amazon.com : Klymit LiteWater Dinghy Pack Raft, Blue : Open Water Inflatable Rafts : Sports & Outdoors No clue to the carrying capacity, but one reviewer claims to weigh 200 lbs. This one looks more to my liking, but read the reviews. - Amazon.com : Sevylor QuikPak K5 Inflatable Kayak : Sports & Outdoors No clue what it weighs, but is claimed to carry 250 lbs, paddler included. UV cuss, you can spend a LOT more - Alpacka Raft LLC - The World's Finest Packrafts
HA ! Shows how far out of the loop I am on some things. Last time I did anything like this it was 1979. On the bright side, I learned somethin' new !
I carry a couple of drumliners and cordage anyway. Put the gear inside the bags, tie them off and the gear will float. Swim while pushing it ahead of you. if you're going far in cold water, you'd get soaked in a raft, too, probably. Cold water, much of it at all, means real danger. Best to just avoid it until you can find a way to cross, make a raft, or find a boat.
Coleman Sevylor Two Person Inflatable Boat ? Walmart.com At $25. And 6lbs, it might be a good idea for a pack (if there is enough room to spare) it will carry @300lbs, and keep your gear dry, float a deer up or down stream, firewood, if you line it with a blanket, and work at a quick shelter. In cold weather, it would be good insulation, either under or over you, and if your bed was laid over fire heated rocks, it would hold that heat very well, if used as a cap/cover. Something to consider.
We have two canoes and a 14' Jon boat but no inflatable other than a few truck inner tubes. My son used one to do a float trip (alligator hunt) near Charleston a few years back. Daughter used one on a float in the mts. while in college. Have spars that can be used to lash the canoes into a catamaran sailboat arrangement with plywood floor. Even a small car inner tube will easily support you or your gear.