STORAGE | CARE | MAINTENANCE
8
Alpacka Rafts are Low‐Fuss and Low‐Maintenance
Our packrafts are designed for people who are hard on gear. Part of our goal has been to build boats that don’t need a lot of attention
either on the river or off it. Your boat will endure a lot of abuse. Very little is needed to keep your boat in good shape from year to year.
However, simple preventative care will lengthen its life and keep it beautiful.
IN THE FIELD:
Other than Cargo Fly Zipper care, very little needs to be done to keep your packraft in good working order while in the
field.
Generally attaching your packraft to your back (or bicycle) in a way that it can fall off (this has happened) or is subject to excessive
abrasion.
AT HOME:
•
Clean Your Packraft:
Washing with mild dish soap helps keep your boat clean and prevent the spread of invasive species across
waterways.
•
Air Dry Your Packraft:
If your boat is stored wet, it will damage the Cargo Fly zipper and can develop a strong cat urine odor which
can be very difficult to remove. In addition, a wet packraft can spread invasive species. We recommend hanging your boat to dry
after every trip before storing.
•
Storing Your Packraft:
After it is clean and dry, we recommend storing your packraft in a cool dry place with good air flow. Hanging,
loosely rolling or folding are good methods. We do not recommend storing your packraft in its stuffsack. To reduce UV aging, do not
store your packraft in direct sunlight.
•
We recommend periodic Seaworthiness Checks:
These should be done when pulling the boat out after a period of storage, after
any non‐design use (ex: using it as a tarp or gear‐sled), or after any event that might have damaged the boat.
•
Do not use “UV‐Protectant” or similar sprays on your packraft:
These sprays create a hard outer coating that prevents repair
materials and glue from sticking to the packraft. If you do accidentally use a UV protectant spray on your boat, it will wear off after
use but you will have trouble with repairs or gluing any attachments to the boat until it does wear off.
