Andrew if you are concerned about the APA, I share your concerns. But I am not an American so maybe its an institution relevant only for Americans. It makes me nervous for sure.

Love this video Dave! One of the best I have seen on packrafting. Very engaging.

I tried the rowing kit once and I didnt love it, but will give it another chance this year. Last year, I mostly paddled it with the rowing kit paddles kayayk style and it worked well. I chose the FX cause my primary concern was comfort. I prefer to sit as high as possible. I even use extra seats to ...

Not on your list, but I believe the Fjord Explorer tracks better than the other packrafts. Please confirm this with Sherry. I am 5,8 and I am happy I chose the FX, but I only use it on casual lakes at the moment.

Great blog, great boat. Your demo with 2 people will be helpfull for others trying to decide.

Hi. I am 5' 8" I have the 2011 Fjord explorer wih rowing kit. I have not tried any of the other Alpacka models. I only rowed the boat once and I get from A to B good but I didnt love rowing it for some reason. However using the boat with a kayak padlle was great. Apparently, according to Sherry on t...

Not trying to kill a sale here, but one thing to concider. Last year Nancy with Alpacka rafts said that the explorer could be custom ordered a few inches longer with out effecting performance much. I would confirm this with Sherry though.

Thats the one. It was uploaded by Roman Dial. I hope he responds to this thread. I think its a Fjord Explorer. Also there is a utube video called "packrafting the Canyonlands", check that out too.

There is a utube video somewhere of a man and woman on the fjord explorer with packs paddling like you mentioned. It may have been Roman Dial, I am not sure, hopefully someone here can give you the link.

Yeah I know what you mean about quick deployment of the boat. I was thinking that last year. I got on the water quick but I really didnt like using the kayak paddle( my shoulders arnt great) so it was fast to get on the water but I never ended up going out. I decided to give the Alpacka another chan...

tothewest. I bought a 2010 fx and I now have a 2011 FX. I took the FX out last year a couple of times on calm water with a kayak paddle and didnt get wet. Using a kayak paddle you may get some paddle drip, but not a big deal for me. I never tried 2 people. If your older FX is not too old, it may be ...

To add to the discussion. I just recieved an FX with the rowing kit. I havent used it yet but in my living room the new rowing kit looks like an amazing design, compact light and very quick to set up and it takes up no room in the boat. With the rowing kit, I imagine that the FX is a completely diff...

Sven. are you refering to rowing or paddling speed in your reply? Thanks

I usually call them

I am very close to calling you guys up to order an Explorer. Speaking of planks, have you ever thought about a removable plank installed on top of the tubes to be used as an occaisional seat to strecth the body or fish from ? I have not sat in an FX so I dont know if this is an issue.

There is a Baylee 1, Baylee2, and Baylee 3. I think the intentention is for the Baylee 1 to be a moving water boat, it can come with a sprayskirt{ around 7 pounds total.) The Baylee 2 is around 11 pounds with oar frame.

Thanks for the reply alaskacreeker, I probably would be using explorer to row mainly around small lakes to relax after work, so not much chance of flipping.

Is the higher seat arangement on the fjord explorer easier on your body than a regular alpacka ? and is the fjord explorer easier to exit cause of the high seat? I rowed a low seat raft yesterday, and one thing I realized is my body didnt like being low and almost flat with legs extended and straigh...

Thanks AeroNautical, I dont know what a schrader or Presta valve is. I havent blown up a boat since i was a kid. (that sounds bad but I am going to keep it)I will call a local marine store. Thanks

I would like to try one with a rowing system. I would be willing to pay some money for your time . I would only need a couple of minutes on the water and I can drive to anywhere in the lower mainland. Thanks. Cameron

Thanks alaskacreeker. I guess I dont understand the valve system. By what you are saying, you dont insert any thing in the valve. do you have to pinch the valve then?how do you stop air from comming out? I wonderd why you use a hair dryer instead of car lighter pump, but I am guessing you use the dr...

Can these rafts be filled with a standard car lighter pump"? Thanks

I live in Vancouver B.C.. I will check out shipping costs.

Thanks again for all the replies. My Two choices are the Alpaca because of my size or a dory(or a simmilar rowing boat)cause I like to row. Eventually I may end up with both. As far as the Alpaca goes I like the idea of no deck cause it will keep it simple and lite, I tend to abuse my stuff so I wou...

Thanks both for your replies. It seems then that its my choice, do I mind getting wet or not?

I am still window shopping here. My use for one of these rafts would be for mostly playing around on small to medium lakes and calm rivers. I would prefer not to have a spray deck, but I am concerned tht paddle drip would be a pain in the neck. Does anyone use an undecked raft? How do you deal with ...

Thanks Sheri, I appreciate the reply.

Is the Explorer supposed to rowed like a normal rowbot with the rower facing aft? If so, does the front dig in the water at all? Is the boat bow heavy? Thanks

Thanks for Replies. They are helpful.

Thanks again. I have tons of questions but I am trying to read all the threads on this forum to answer some of them. Last week I didnt even know what a packraft was. I was searching for a 10 pound canoe and came across this site. Originaly I wanted something That I could easily take to my local lake...

Thanks johnz1967 for your reply. I think you answered my question clearly. By fun, I meant getting in a rowing groove kind of fun but I guess you need glide for that. Anyhow, I still like the boat I just have to decide between paddling
(Alpaca) or rowing (explorer)

I beleive the explorer is probably a great utility boat , but as a row boat is it any fun to row? I presently have a rowing canoe(sportspal) and I really like to go out on my local lake and just row, sometimes I get in a zone and get so into it.I would love to have the same feeling in a 10 pound boa...

The Alpaca is starting to seem like the fit for me. I also find that the explorer looks interesting. I have to decide weather I want to row or paddle.I will start a thread on the explorer

my levi jeans are 32 waist and 30 leg, I think that means my legs are Alpaca length?

Thanks rods, for your help. Feed back from others is so important since I cant see the boat live. I like pudding too, but not blood pudding.

to be comfortable in an Alpaca? Specificly, I am 190 pounds and 5 feet 8 inches high. Andrew at Alpacka emailed me that the Alpaca should be a good fit. He did mention however that my waist may be a little snug as I am a bit stocky, but he said that the boat will give. I wear 32 waist Levis. I am ev...