Different in so many ways...
DESIGNED IN AOTEAROA
We've been paddling in Aotearoa's rivers, lakes and seas for a long time.
We've brought our experience to the design table and combined it with feedback from you, our customers, to create the world's best packrafts.
Blue Duck packrafts might, at first glance, look like any other packraft. They're not. Read on for more details.
UNIQUE FEATURES
- Our thigh braces are the best on the market, and an improvement on our earlier designs. The attachments ladder means you can fit almost anyone in each model. You can set the seat forward or back and then move the thigh brace position too.
- Inflation bags are bigger and stronger.
- new floors with a range of depths so you can choose your most stable position
MATERIAL
All our packrafts are made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). We carefully choose the weight of the TPU in different parts of the packraft to maximise durability, while keeping the weight to a minimum.
MANUFACTURE
Our manufacturing facility provides packrafts with extremely high manufacturing quality.
All seams are first stitched for strength, then made waterproof and airtight with double-sided welding.
SPRAY SKIRT
We've designed our spray skirts to keep you dry (which is kind of the point).
They'll also protect you from the sun, sandflies and mosquitoes, and help to keep you warm.
They won't protect you from hippos or crocodiles....
TIZIPS
TiZips are airtight, waterproof zips.
We install ours on the packraft in a way that reduces the stress on them, making sure that they will last for a long time.
TiZips allow you to store equipment inside your packraft, meaning you can carry more.
Spray Skirt?
A spray skirt keeps water out of the cockpit in rapids. They keep your lower body drier and are suited to those who may not wish to carry a wet suit or dry suit.
Spray skirts keep you a bit warmer; this is useful if you're wearing shorts or light clothing, and help protect you from sunburn and sandflies.
We have a unique design of spray skirt. It's not fiddly and it has some unique features.
The seating position in a spray skirt packraft can be set lower, which is more stable for those who value this characteristic.
Most whitewater packrafts in NZ are self-bailers - for ease of exit and entry.
Whatever you choose is OK with us.
Self-Bailing?
Self-bailing packrafts allow water to get into the cockpit, but drain it out quickly through floor drains. They require an inflatable seat to keep your lower body out of the wet.
They have the advantage of being very quick and easy to get in and out of, for scouting and portages. This is the main reason to choose this option.
For people who feel trapped by spray skirts, choose the self-bailing option.
Self-bailing seats are set higher. This has two effects; they are less stable, but enable the paddler to practice more efficient paddle strokes and use a shorter paddle.
NOTE: there is always some water in the boat, which is why our seats fill most of the boat.
