DIY Pack attachment system

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Until Alpacka developed the Cargo Fly strapping the pack to the bow of the boat was really the only feasible way to raft your belongings with you. But Cargo Fly is expensive, needs much care and extra hassle while switching from hiking to "river mode" and vice/versa and therefore pack in the bow -method is likely not going to disappear any time soon. Alpacka sells the Packtach pack attachment system with their boats. I never saw it as very useful and therefore never bought it. Packtach is designed to be lightweight, but it really doesn't seem to be the most handy or fastest way for package handling.

At least here in Finland big external frame backpacks are very common and heavy package requires an extra sturdy device to secure the pack in place. I found a "bombproof" easy-to-release buckle from Shelby (which BTW ships internationally) that requires very little force for tightening and can be released with one finger. Combined with appropiate webbing (I used one meter) and a little 3mm climbing accessory cord we have the ingridients for a sturdy and fast-to-use pack attachment system. Just sew small loop in the webbing so the cord can pass through it and tie the cord ends on grab loops. That's it!

Tightening is done in two steps: the female part of buckle is in the front and you need both hands to operate it. Primary adjustment is done with this part. The male part that is closer to paddler can easily be tightened with one hand, even while sitting on the boat. With this system you can attach almost anything to the bow and it will be surely secured and is easily removable. Plus you'll have a spare buckle for your backpack's hip belt. A real win-win situation!

With this combination the river party will be guaranteed