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How to roll up a packraft
Introduction
Hey paddlers, Jeff here with Alpacka Raft. Today, I’m walking you through how to get a tight roll on the self-bailing Mage packraft. This process isn’t complicated, but there are a few tricks that make it cleaner, easier, and way more satisfying. Let’s dive in.
Step One: Get the Air Out
Before you even think about rolling, you’ll want to deflate all the cockpit components: the foot brace, the floor, and the seat. Yes, this does involve the highly technical method of mouth-sucking the air out. (Don’t worry, it’s less gross than it sounds—and it works like a charm.)
Once those are empty, move on to the hull. Partially open the cargo fly zipper and start rolling from the valve toward the stern. This isn’t your final roll, just the first squeeze to eliminate as much air as possible.
When you’ve got most of it out, close the zipper. To really get things tight, you can suck the last bit of air out through the valve, giving yourself something close to a vacuum seal.
Step Two: Smooth It Out
With the boat deflated, roll it back out. Now’s your chance to be a perfectionist (or a “try hard,” depending on how you see it). Massage out the major wrinkles in the tubes and make sure your cockpit components are lying flat. This step varies a little depending on your boat model and personal preferences, but neatness definitely pays off in packability.
Step Three: Folding for Success
Now comes the folding. There are lots of “right” ways to do this, but I’ll show you one method that works particularly well if your packraft has a bulky back band. Since mine does, I want my roll width to match that back band, so I fold the boat into thirds.
Once it’s folded, take a moment to work out any lingering wrinkles. From here, you can either roll straight from the tip or make an initial fold to keep the sides from splaying out. Personally, I like that extra fold—it keeps everything tighter.
Step Four: The Roll
Time to roll it up! Always roll from bow to stern. Set a heavy object on the boat (rock, foot, or helpful trip partner) to anchor it, then roll tightly and evenly toward the stern.
If you notice a little excess air still trapped inside, no big deal. Just crack the zipper slightly, press the air out, and seal it back up. Finish the job with a strap and voilà—you’ve got a clean, tight roll that’s ready to pack, store, or hit the trail.
Final Thoughts
Rolling your self-bailing Mage isn’t rocket science, but doing it cleanly makes a huge difference when it comes to storage, packing, and carrying your boat. Take your time, smooth it out, and remember: bow to stern is the golden rule.
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