Re-entering an Alpacka in deep water

I make this sound difficult. Erin McKittrick, in a prior forum contribution, makes it sound easy. Maybe Erin is exceptionally bouyant, or I'm just dense. (Caps added for emphasis.)

"Packrafts are quite stable. Nearly impossible (I've heard rumors someone has done it) to eskimo roll, for the same reason they're hard to flip in the first place. Getting in is really easy, though. We set up a clip system to quickly release the pack from the front (the weight makes the raft harder to flip upright) doable while in the water. THEN I JUST FLIP IT BACK OVER AND CLIMB IN – I'VE ENDED UP BACK IN THE BOAT ALMOST BEFORE I NOTICED I WAS OUT OF IT. No water stays in the boat after flipping, and I can pull the pack back with an attached string."

Update: This is getting easier with additional practice. At this point, I'd probably revise the above 8-point technique to say mostly this:

Get your feet out away from the boat, hands on deck, kick to propel yourself laterally over the near side tube, throw one arm with paddle in hand over the far tube as soon as possible to counter the raft's desire to tip toward you, then get your torso squarely atop the raft. In other words, tackle your Alpacka, rather than trying to jump right back into the stirrups.

From there, it's just a matter of turning over onto your butt, then merrily jumping back into the practice pool for another go.

With a little practice, I find it easy to get back into my packraft from deep water. I practiced in a pool and in a reservoir till I felt comfortable. I made sure I did this with the clothing and gear I'd actually use on a trip. One PFD I have is almost impossible to get into the boat with. It's a class V that sits low to completely free your arms to paddle. The result is that it sticks out further that a more full coverage PFD and gets in the way of me pulling my stomach into the boat.

I also found a PFD with higher bouyancy gives you more lift and makes it easier to climb in. Also, make sure you don't stuff too much in your PFD pocket since that can make it harder to climb in.

I had my first unplanned swim a couple weeks ago in Upper Disaster (class III) on the Gates of Lodore section of the Green River. I was back in the boat quickly without much thought – I was too busy being mad that I let go of my paddle. I had practiced flipping, holding on to my paddle and climbing back in. But on this unexpected flip when the packraft stern got sucked into a hole after a drop, I reflexively let go. No one below me saw this paddle and it was never found. I was able to hand paddle over to another boat and luckily my group had an extra paddle since this was day 1 of a 4 day trip.

I also lost a Manta Ray paddle following a flip. In this case, the paddle was tethered to the raft, never mind that I wasn't able to hold onto either that day. Both paddle and raft (traveling downriver conjoined) were subsequently recovered via a lost and found ad. (This was on the well-traveled and occasionally lazy Saco River in NH, mind you.)

Tethering, to me, seems worth the small risk of entanglement, given the raft's tendency to get bandersnatched and flip even in the relatively mild rivers available to me locally. I don't use a wrist leash, though. And I do plan to have a small knife blade available in moving water to cut free in an emergency.

Tethering is not a good idea for me. The local rivers are full of strainers and the raft-paddle would be bound to get snagged. I just did Desolation/Gray canyon on the Green then Gates of Lodore (also on the Green). The water was wide with big wave action. Surprising really that I only dumped once. With the rocks and holes I wouldn't want to worry about anything else (like getting tangled in the leash) if I dumped. I'd much rather buy a new paddle.

I'm finishing work on a packraft safety tips podcast. I took a Whitewater ReEscue course with 11 other packrafters. 7 had been packrafting over 5 years each. I interviewed these "experts" for safety tips and common mistakes. One common mistake listed was "too much junk on the boat" meaning any straps, ropes, etc you could get caught in. These guys did most of their packrafting on wild rivers in the west and Alaska which may be different than where you are floating. Float your own float. I don't ever see myself tethering my paddle though.

One more thing – you mentioned you were a big guy? That may be why the frequent bandersnatching. The newest Alpackas have quite a bit more floatation in the stern which would probably big a big help in reducing the tendency for your raft to flip backwards.

And another thing…
If you aren't, lean forward through rapids and paddle hard (which also keeps you leaning forward). It helps prevent bandersnatching :)

Thanks for the tips, Carol. I wonder when the good folks at Alpacka Raft may have implemented the new design? Mine is one of the original 1.3 sil-nylon decked rafts purchased here at BPL.

Hi Brett,
I think it was implemented this summer, but am not sure.