It is a 'little' slower than an inflatable kayak, mostly due to the non inflating floor so there is a slight drag there. but compared to a raft or a traditional packraft, the twain glides well, tracks very well, and is pretty durable. The weight makes it great for portage and the fin gives additional tracking and handling ability.
Yes and No. The feather pump cannot inflate any of the rafts through the d7 valve with it in the closed position. So you have to push/turn it open while it inflates. I can feel the feather pump inflate it rigid, to where it feels completely full, but in order to close the valve, you have to quickly move the feather pump away and then push/turn the valve closed. With practice, I have gotten it to where the feather pump is 90-99% done and 2-4 breathes through the top up hose are all that is needed to give the boat a rigid feel. Of course, you have to top up again in the water when the temp change condenses the air. So yes, it has enough oomph to get the raft fully inflated and keep it there but due to the valve being locked open, in real world the answer is no. Now, I did play around with a little hack using a paperclip. I used the paperclip (in a straightened position taped to the front of the feather pump) to push the valve open while in the locked closed position, and the feather pump did in fact get the boat fully inflated. And when I pulled the pump away, the paperclip came with it and the valve instantly closed, leaving the boat 99.9% tight and filled. But I don't bother with it, because I am just a slightly bit concerned about accidentally puncturing the boat with the paperclip lol.
For rivers and for touring I'd still go kayak paddles. I carry a canoe paddle for backup but I only use it on slow gentle paddles and you need to elevate your seat if you use a canoe paddle. I'd suggest kayak paddles
I am using 230 cm or 90.5 right now, but have used slightly shorter with a steeper paddle angle, and I have used longer paddles for a shallow paddle without any adverse strenuous affects. The width of the boat doesn't seem to matter as much as the width of the tubs which in turn out you a little farther from the water than a comparable Hardshell kayak, but at the same time, i am riding higher up in the air, so a deeper higher angle paddle stroke isn't as tiring.
@@wildernesscafe6082 Thanks I had a 220 cm Aquabound stingray which is a low angle paddle but I found it inefficient with it, don't know if a longer similar profile paddle vs same length but more high angle profile would better rectify this. Was thinking the latter as it doesn't move as well in the water as a hardshell. Not sure if you have thoughts on this.
@@wbwb1020 I guess it would depend on what kind of water you are on. If you are on a creek or river and are dealing with rocks current and possibly other debris or cramped conditions I would probably recommend the shorter angle paddle as it's easier for you to handle and it's going to give you more leverage when you are navigating a creek. If you are on flat water such as a lake then it might be better for you to have a longer paddle so that you can have a more efficient stroke and that will relate to ease of paddling being less tired possibly the boat going a little bit faster and so on. There is a difference why even hard shell kayaks have a performance versus a touring model in the same goes for a variety of paddles
from the Kokopelli people The Twain features our 210d TPU_Nylon sidewalls and proprietary 840d TPU-Nylon floor. The seams are first stitched and then welded with double-reinforced 1in (2.5cm) wide seam tape. Additionally, the pontoon-to-floor attachment point is glued to the sidewall and then reinforced with v-seam tape around the entire interior of the packraft. The 4in (10.2cm) thick Inflatable Seat is made from 210d Diamond-Ripstop Nylon and uses a Stem Valve. This keeps you comfortable and improves paddling position which allows for deeper, more efficient paddle strokes. For the main pontoon, the Twain features a Leafield D7 valve, the most durable valve on the planet. The same valve as used in all full-size rafts, the Leafield is made from roto-molded plastic and is threaded and screwed together, not welded or glued. Meaning your valve will never come un-welded or fall apart. The Leafield D7 also easily integrates with the all new TRiB airCap, Feather Pump or our Inflation Tube, and Inflation Bag.
In real world terms, the bottom feels pretty rugged, you dont feel like it will tear if you stood up and its rated for 600lbs The coated nylon has a different feel than pvc boats and feels rugged and firm after inflation. During our first 8 mile paddle, we beached it on several rocky areas and got out, bumped up against some trees and even dragged it across the ground on a portage. It felt durable and I wasnt worried about it popping or puncturing.
sorry, I did say 20 pounds on the video, my kit was under 20 pounds. The actual weight of the twain is 13 pounds including the seats. Its not as light as the single person kokopelli or alpacka packrafts but waaay lighter than an inflatable kayak or a river raft or a hardshell
Thanks for the installation video. Needed this!
Glad I could help out. If there are any specific parts of the twain you want to see on our next video, just let me know ;-)
how well does it glide through the water? I'm thinking of picking one up for a portaging trip, some sections are through some bigger lakes
It is a 'little' slower than an inflatable kayak, mostly due to the non inflating floor so there is a slight drag there. but compared to a raft or a traditional packraft, the twain glides well, tracks very well, and is pretty durable. The weight makes it great for portage and the fin gives additional tracking and handling ability.
Is the feather pump designed to pump the raft up 100%.. ?
Yes and No. The feather pump cannot inflate any of the rafts through the d7 valve with it in the closed position. So you have to push/turn it open while it inflates. I can feel the feather pump inflate it rigid, to where it feels completely full, but in order to close the valve, you have to quickly move the feather pump away and then push/turn the valve closed. With practice, I have gotten it to where the feather pump is 90-99% done and 2-4 breathes through the top up hose are all that is needed to give the boat a rigid feel. Of course, you have to top up again in the water when the temp change condenses the air.
So yes, it has enough oomph to get the raft fully inflated and keep it there but due to the valve being locked open, in real world the answer is no.
Now, I did play around with a little hack using a paperclip. I used the paperclip (in a straightened position taped to the front of the feather pump) to push the valve open while in the locked closed position, and the feather pump did in fact get the boat fully inflated. And when I pulled the pump away, the paperclip came with it and the valve instantly closed, leaving the boat 99.9% tight and filled. But I don't bother with it, because I am just a slightly bit concerned about accidentally puncturing the boat with the paperclip lol.
Are kayaking paddles better than canoe paddles for tandem packrafts?
For rivers and for touring I'd still go kayak paddles. I carry a canoe paddle for backup but I only use it on slow gentle paddles and you need to elevate your seat if you use a canoe paddle. I'd suggest kayak paddles
@@alexanderbolias900 thanks
What length of paddle are you using with this? It’s quite wide
I am using 230 cm or 90.5 right now, but have used slightly shorter with a steeper paddle angle, and I have used longer paddles for a shallow paddle without any adverse strenuous affects. The width of the boat doesn't seem to matter as much as the width of the tubs which in turn out you a little farther from the water than a comparable Hardshell kayak, but at the same time, i am riding higher up in the air, so a deeper higher angle paddle stroke isn't as tiring.
@@wildernesscafe6082 Thanks I had a 220 cm Aquabound stingray which is a low angle paddle but I found it inefficient with it, don't know if a longer similar profile paddle vs same length but more high angle profile would better rectify this. Was thinking the latter as it doesn't move as well in the water as a hardshell. Not sure if you have thoughts on this.
@@wbwb1020 I guess it would depend on what kind of water you are on. If you are on a creek or river and are dealing with rocks current and possibly other debris or cramped conditions I would probably recommend the shorter angle paddle as it's easier for you to handle and it's going to give you more leverage when you are navigating a creek. If you are on flat water such as a lake then it might be better for you to have a longer paddle so that you can have a more efficient stroke and that will relate to ease of paddling being less tired possibly the boat going a little bit faster and so on. There is a difference why even hard shell kayaks have a performance versus a touring model in the same goes for a variety of paddles
How durable is this raft.
from the Kokopelli people
The Twain features our 210d TPU_Nylon sidewalls and proprietary 840d TPU-Nylon floor. The seams are first stitched and then welded with double-reinforced 1in (2.5cm) wide seam tape. Additionally, the pontoon-to-floor attachment point is glued to the sidewall and then reinforced with v-seam tape around the entire interior of the packraft.
The 4in (10.2cm) thick Inflatable Seat is made from 210d Diamond-Ripstop Nylon and uses a Stem Valve. This keeps you comfortable and improves paddling position which allows for deeper, more efficient paddle strokes.
For the main pontoon, the Twain features a Leafield D7 valve, the most durable valve on the planet. The same valve as used in all full-size rafts, the Leafield is made from roto-molded plastic and is threaded and screwed together, not welded or glued. Meaning your valve will never come un-welded or fall apart. The Leafield D7 also easily integrates with the all new TRiB airCap, Feather Pump or our Inflation Tube, and Inflation Bag.
In real world terms, the bottom feels pretty rugged, you dont feel like it will tear if you stood up and its rated for 600lbs
The coated nylon has a different feel than pvc boats and feels rugged and firm after inflation. During our first 8 mile paddle, we beached it on several rocky areas and got out, bumped up against some trees and even dragged it across the ground on a portage. It felt durable and I wasnt worried about it popping or puncturing.
Nice.
is it actually 20 pounds? that seems heavy to carry around?
sorry, I did say 20 pounds on the video, my kit was under 20 pounds. The actual weight of the twain is 13 pounds including the seats. Its not as light as the single person kokopelli or alpacka packrafts but waaay lighter than an inflatable kayak or a river raft or a hardshell