The Biluta Packraft
Exploring further with my Packraft
“Tadpole”
Introducing the Biluta Packraft
For season 3 I needed a new tender for my Drascombe Lugger and below I outline exactly why I decided upon a small Biluta Packraft.
Why a New Tender
Essentially I was struggling a little bit using my Mirror DInghy as a tender for my boat. Sure she was fine on most days. When it was clear, not too windy I could easily paddle up to my mooring. However thats only half the story!
Paddling and wind!
I don’t have oars on my Mirror and she’s actually a difficult boat to paddle in high winds. I was finding that when the wind got up, I simply couldn’t get to my mooring, no matter how hard I tried.I even had to swim out and attach a line one day so I could pull myself aboard!!
Too much towing!
I’ve also found bringing 2 boats with 2 trailers down to the lake a bit of a hassle and I don’t want to leave my Mirror trailer sat all season.
Add to that, the Mirror, with all her rigging was difficult to set up and prep for tendering too.
Cruising
I needed a new tender for cruising too and I couldn’t tow the Mirror behind me.
So I needed something small and light, something that would pack down small and wouldn’t take long to inflate so that I could quickly get ashore when anchored or moored.
Further exploring
The Lugger will float in 10″ of water. However she needs more to motor and there are places even a Lugger can’t go. With a small packraft I could explore rivers and shallower waters.
She’s also really stable and has proven brilliant at getting me onto the Lugger. A real find!
Tadpole Highlights
Tadpole has become a trusty companion and an essential part of the team now. Here’s some highlights with her.
Biluta Packraft Specs
The Biuta Packraft is perfect for dinghy cruising. It’snot only light and small, but it’s stable and packs down to a tiny size.
It can be inflated in 2 minutes by the included pump or via an electric pump and it will allow you to explore anywhere a canoe can.
- Length
- Beam
- Tube diameter
- Weight
- Pack size
- Time to inflate
- Price
- 2.6M
- 92cm
- 28cm
- 3.5KG
- 54x17cm
- 170KG
- <£200 from Ebay
