Dear community,
im looking for some ideas about the following matter:
I recently purchased a packraft from a small vendor that seems to be comming up with some robust designs. They were selling a product that they say was only taken to water once for about half price. I took it to water once and was really content. On my second trip I realized that it was losing about 10 liter of air per hour through the cargo zipper. The zipper is one of two possible openings for the one piece tube apart from the valve. So if it fails the whole packraft deflates. That is about the only construction feature that I dislike yet. I had not yet opened the zipper that is a TZIP zipper as I was hesitant about how to lube it properly.
However I read in the forum here that many people here say this way of construction worked well for them upon proper maintainance.
I reached out to the vendor and they said before this becomes an issue for the three year warranty I’d best lube it and see if the issue persists. Upon doing so it seems airtight. But an uncomfortable feeling remains. I want to head through the wilderness for some weeks and will be far away from roads and even tracks in some parts. I don’t feel like the packraft would sink right away in the current condition but still the “success” of my trip and my life and gear depend on. Not to speak of my dog.
So I’d like to hear some ideas about weather small holes in the tzip of a cargo fly would be an issue you commonly encounter and can sufficiently resolve by lubing properly. Or would you even think its a good idea on pressing on a warranty issue. I mean, I only used it one day, let it rest for a month while not having the zip bend or exposed to heat light or moisture. Seems like an early moment to encounter the issue.
Feel free to give opinions or send links to similar threats.
Cheers