Get the most out of your adventures with Arkansas Packrafts! Built to conquer diverse waterways and explore remote locations, our Packrafts are crafted with durability in mind. They're ready to take on whatever the river throws your way, but a little preventative care goes a long way. With minimal effort, you can ensure your packraft maintains peak performance and keeps its good looks for years to come.

In the Wild

Minimal On-Water Maintenance: Aside from proper TIZIP® Zipper care (see below for instructions), your Arkansas Packrafts require minimal maintenance while on the water. This allows you to maximize your exploration time and focus on enjoying the adventure.

Secure Transport: Improper packraft attachment or protection during transport, whether in your vehicle, on or in your pack, or attached to a bicycle can be a cause of damage. Ensure your packraft is securely fastened to prevent accidental detachment or excessive abrasion that could compromise the product.

Adventure Racing Transport: One area that can put your gear at risk is when a packraft is transported by others between stages of a race. Be sure to roll or fold your boat in a way that the sidewall and only the bottom of the boat is visible. This protects the weaker parts of a packraft and prevents any mishandling of the boat during critical performance sports. Always remember, no one will handle your gear like you will.

Cleaning and Storage “between adventures”

Storage

Storage: Before storing, wash the raft with fresh water and remove any debris. Air dry completely to prevent moisture build-up. Store loosely folded in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. Folding, loosely rolling, or hanging are good methods.

Hot Car and Garage Storage: For the longest life of your packraft, keeping it dry and out of storage situations with high heat like the trunk of a car or uninsulated garage. While these locations are expected as you are on trips, you can protect and extend the life when stored in locations with less extreme heat.

Stuff sack: We do not recommend storing your packraft in a stuff sack or compression bag. If rolled to tight and put into a stuff sack or compression bag, discoloration and staining can occur.

Sunlight

Sunlight: Store your packraft out of direct sunlight to prolong its life and reduce UV aging. We use high-quality UV-resistant urethane coatings, but sunlight exposure can still accelerate wear.

Do not use “UV-Protectant” or similar sprays on your packraft: These sprays create a hard outer coating and prevents repair materials and glue from sticking to the packraft. If you do accidentally use a UV protectant spray on your packraft, 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.

Cleaning

Washing: Wash your packraft with mild dish soap to remove dirt and prevent invasive species from spreading.

Drying

Air Drying: Always air dry your packraft completely after use to prevent mildew and odor. A wet packraft will damage the TIZIP® zipper. Best practice is to hang dry before storing. We also recommend drying the boat with a towel after you get off the water, and before storing in your bag to transport. This allows dirt and debris to be pulled off before it dries and becomes harder to remove when you get home. In addition, if your boat is stored wet, it will start to smell like cat urine and this smell can be very difficult to remove.

Inspections

Seaworthiness Checks: Perform periodic checks on your packraft, especially after storage, non-standard use (i.e. using it as a tarp or gear-sled), or any potential events that might have damaged the packraft.

TIZIP® Zipper Cleaning and Lubrication

Your zipper should always run smooth and easy. If your zipper is difficult to move or feels sticky, it needs lubrication. Always make sure the zipper chain is clean before lubricating.

You must clean, dry, and lubricate your TIZIP® zipper after every trip and often while in the field. Below is a resource for caring for and maintaining your TIZIP® zipper in the wild – this is a combined guide from our team and several packrafting experts. Also, you can consult the Storage, Cleaning and Maintenance manual directly from TIZIP® HERE as an additional resource.

Packable Maintenance Kit

Your packable maintenance kit should have the following:

• Clean rag
• TIZIP® zipper lubricant or similar (designed for urethane materials)
• Small brush (i.e. tooth brush).
• Small waterproof bag or sleeve

Cleaning

If you are having trouble getting your zipper to close, it is most likely due to an obstruction in the chain. Therefore, you need to keep your zipper chain clean and free of debris. Because lubricant attracts sand, we do not recommend applying lubricant direct to the chain. If your zipper needs cleaning, start with a small brush and use warm soap (mild detergent) and water for more difficult cleaning. Do not use solvents or abrasives, as doing so may compromise their functionality.

Lubrication Instructions

1. Prep the Zipper: Make sure the zipper is completely CLOSED.
2. Lube the Exterior: Apply a small amount of lubricant to your rag. Wipe the rag along the outside of the closed zipper, coating the entire urethane laminated surface. Do not apply lubricant directly to the teeth.
3. Remove Excess Lube: Wipe down the zipper with a clean area of the rag to remove any excess lubricant. Too much lube can attract dirt and sand.
4. Lubricate the Inside:  Carefully open the zipper. Use the rag with a small amount of lubricant to lightly wipe the chain and sealing edges inside the zipper track.
5. Lubricate the Docking End: Apply a tiny amount of lubricant to the docking end (where the zipper is in the CLOSED position).
6. Test and Repeat: Open and close the zipper several times. It should glide smoothly and close securely. If it feels stiff, repeat steps 2-5, applying a minimal amount of lube each time.
7. Maintenance: Regularly maintaining a thin coat of lubricant on your zipper will keep it working smoothly and docking easily. Apply a small amount of lube as needed.

Storage

• Drying: After each use, completely unzip the zipper and allow the entire packraft to dry thoroughly. Do not store the packraft with a wet zipper. Moisture trapped inside can cause zipper rot and cracking, which is not covered by warranty.
• Traveling Wet: If you need to travel home with a wet packraft, leave the zipper visible and on the outside to allow for air circulation and drying.
• Close Completely: Ensure the zipper is fully closed for storage.
• Avoid Bending: Do not bend the zipper during storage to prevent the possibility of slight leaks over time.
• Clean and Dry: Keep all zippers clean and dry.
• Temperature Control: Avoid storing the packraft in excessively hot and humid environments. This can damage the zippers over time.

Troubleshooting

Over-Stressing the Zipper

1. If you close the zipper with too much force and the zipper teeth come apart behind the head, the zipper fall back into place. Simply pull the zipper past the separated area and re-zip. Cleaning and lubricating the zipper might be needed for a proper reseal.
2. In some cases, you may need to manually close the zipper through the gap to get it to re-engage.

Separation at the Zipper Base:

If the separation happens at the very bottom (base) of the zipper, follow these steps:

1. Clean the area around the zipper base.
2. Manually close the first 3 centimeters of the zipper by hand.
3. Once closed, guide the zipper back over the newly closed section to "reset" the zipper.

Leak at Zipper Base:

If the zipper closes but leaks slightly at the base, there might be debris stuck in the teeth. Here's how to fix it:

1. Carefully unzip the zipper by hand at the base.
2. Clean the zipper teeth to remove any obstructions.
3. Reclose the zipper following the steps above (cleaning the base first, then manual closure at the base if needed).

Warranty Policy

Only the installation, not the TIZIP® zipper, is covered by our WARRANTY POLICY.