Packraft with Spraydeck - Cuma Gear - PRX

Packraft with spraydeck – PRX – Cuma Gear – Olive and Black.

A packraft is honestly one of the coolest things I’ve tried in a long time.
It’s always great with new gear, but honestly, it’s extra great when the new piece of gear just fits perfectly, and that’s the case with the PRX packraft from Cuma Gear.

The first packraft trip went to Sweden together with Jesper Hede from Bushcraft Denmark, where we tested the packraft on both lakes and streams (with rocks and challenges), and it’s some of the most fun we’ve both had in a long time.

The advantages of the Cuma Gear expedition packraft are easy to spot.

First of all, we could carry all our gear including a packraft in our backpack – which is great if you also want to hike.
The packraft including paddles, bags, seat, and everything that comes with it weighs only 5.6 kg in total. The packraft alone weighs only 3.75 kg.
It can easily be packed down to take up very little space. 
The paddles were strapped to the side of the backpack, where we also had our sleeping gear, tarp, clothes, trip food, first aid kit, etc.
This makes it easy to get going on a trip and have a vessel with you without it being a problem.

What is a packraft? And what does PRX stand for?

- I should probably mention that before I continue.

In short, a packraft is a kayak/canoe you inflate, and when it’s deflated, it takes up and weighs so little that you can carry it in your backpack.
But don’t be mistaken, it’s a sturdy piece of gear you feel safe and secure in, even on a lake when it’s windy.
A packraft sits quite stably on the water when you paddle it, unlike a canoe which can tend to tip a bit and be a bit lively, The center of gravity lies low in a packraft because you sit at the bottom of the vessel, so it rests calmly and stably on the water surface.
PRX stands for Packraft Expedition – because with this robust packraft, you’re ready to go on trips both in Denmark and abroad.

In short, a packraft is the perfect combination of functionality, user-friendliness, and comfort. It makes you agile in the terrain and gives you the opportunity for many experiences that would otherwise be hard to get.

A packraft is easy to transport; you can easily take it on your bike and on public transport. When you’re out on a trip, it has the advantage that you can carry it easily. If you reach a part of the water that’s hard to pass, for example due to rocks or vegetation, you can easily carry it over one person and continue paddling.

The PRX packraft comes with a spraydeck.

Some packrafts don’t have a spraydeck, but this one does, and trust me, you’ll want it.
The spraydeck opens easily as it attaches to the packraft with velcro on the left side and a zipper on the right side. This means you won’t get stuck in the packraft if you capsize, and you have the option to roll the spraydeck up at the bow, so you can also use your packraft without the spraydeck.
But overall, the spraydeck keeps you from getting soaking wet. When you paddle, water will easily come into the boat, which you largely avoid with a spraydeck.
You can choose to keep your gear under the spraydeck depending on size, or as I prefer, secure it with the tie-down straps at the front of the packraft. 
Because when your gear is placed so far forward on the packraft, the backpack hardly gets wet.

Included with your packraft PRX from Cuma Gear:

• 1 paddle – can be disassembled into 4 parts.
•  Orange stuff sack with carrying stopper.
  
•  Bag for inflating the packraft (pump bag). It works by attaching the pump bag to the valve, opening it at one end, and rolling it up so the air is pressed into the packraft. It takes about 10 pumps.
  However, we often use a flextail automatic air pump – it’s super easy, and it takes up very little space and weight.
• Patches – in case you get a hole, so you can weld a new one on.

A recommendation: I especially like to bring a small Flextail zero pump with me. It has the advantage that it can both inflate the packraft for you and also suck the air out again. You can also easily do it without, using the included pump bag, but honestly, it’s easy with a Zero Pump. 

Here’s how to prepare your PRX packraft.

1.
Unpack the packraft and 'finger-tighten' the innermost valve ring (make sure the innermost valve is screwed in properly).

2.
Install the seat, backrest, and fin before inflating. 
Inflate the backrest by mouth by opening the valve and closing it again before moving your mouth.
The seat has the same valve as the packraft, so tighten the innermost valve ring and open the outer one. Use a pump or pump bag to inflate.
Then the seat is secured by pulling the included cords through the holes on the seat and the packraft, to secure the seat in case of capsizing.
The backrest straps are threaded through the welded slots on the packraft and through the adjustment buckle on the backrest.
The fin at the back of the packraft is first slid into the front fin slot on the underside of the boat, then pulled back into the rear fin slot so it is secured at both ends. It’s simple when you have it in your hand.
The cord on the fin is tied securely to the fin and to the nearest attachment point on the packraft. The cord should be a few centimeters longer than needed so it hangs slightly loose when tied. It’s not uncommon for there to be large stones just below the water surface that can occasionally tear the fin off, so it’s handy to have a cord so it can be reattached.  

3.
Open the outer valve ring and attach the pump bag or a Flextail Zero pump and pump air into the packraft. If using the pump bag, screw it onto the valve. The thread screwed onto the packraft valve should not be tightened hard, just finger-tight.
It takes 2 - 5 minutes to inflate depending on the method and your physical condition :-)
If you use an electric pump, you will likely need to add some extra air to the packraft using the pump bag.
The packraft should be inflated firmly. On sunny days, it may be necessary to add air as it expands slightly when warm.

4.
The paddle clicks together, and the angle can be adjusted as needed and preferred
If paddling without a spray deck.
The spray deck is zipped on and rolled up towards the bow (front) where it can be tied off.
If paddling with a spray deck.
Open the velcro side, inflate the triangle on the spray deck.
Adjust the cockpit opening (where you sit) with the elastic cords (note that it is not recommended to paddle with a jacket or anything hanging over the cockpit edge, as you can get stuck in case of capsizing)

5.
You are ready to hit the water.
If you have gear, you can keep it under the spray deck, or it can be strapped to the front of the packraft using the 4 tie-down straps. Once secured with cords or straps, push the packraft into the water. Choose a spot without sharp rocks or where you might get stuck.
Check your shoes for small stones if you’re paddling with shoes on.
Jump in and settle yourself, close the spray deck  

6. 
You are ready for the coolest packraft trip.
Always remember your life jacket :-)  

The packraft is more durable than we initially thought; it handles rocks, currents, etc. without problems, and we pushed it hard! I did manage to make a couple of nicks in my paddle, but I didn’t hold back either—we were there to test the gear ;) So you might need to buy a new paddle at some point if, like me, you enjoy a bit of roughing it out there.

Specifications - Packraft with spray deck - Cuma Gear - PRX

Included parts and weight 

Packraft
Color - Olive / black
Tube diameter - Ø 30 cm 
Length - cm
Width - cm
Material - 210D coated TPU Nylon 66 / Bottom 840D coated TPU Nylon 66  
Weight - 3.75 kg 

Carry bag with straps
Color - Orange 
Material - Nylon 
Shoulder straps included 
Weight - 220 grams

Pump bag
Color - Black 
Material - Nylon 
Weight - 260 grams

Fin and repair kit
Color - Black and Olive
Weight - 100 grams

Backrest and seat
Color - Black 
Material - Welded Nylon
Weight - 380 grams

Paddle
Color - Aluminum and black 
Material - Aluminum and black ABS plastic 
Weight - 920 grams