BWCA Lumbar Pack/ Thwart Bag/ Day Pack-in-one- Help! Boundary Waters Group Forum: Do It Yourself Gear
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      Lumbar Pack/ Thwart Bag/ Day Pack-in-one- Help!     

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THEGrandRapids
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01/26/2019 09:29AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
2 questions- bare with me!

Thinking of making a lumbar "fanny" pack with a couple quick buckles to attach to the thwart in front of the stern paddler, would like to use for fishing tackle, water bottle, probably have the tarp in there, sunglasses, etc. The biggest fanny pack i've found online is a 10L. I'm thinking more along the lines of 30 or 35L. (roughly- 18" wide, 12" deep, 12" tall) Want it to just ride on my hips, so I can also portage the canoe. A typically portage pack weighs too much for me. so its sort of a half pack that I can manage with the canoe.

Anyone make anything like this? It's essentially just going to be a short portage pack with a hip belt instead of shoulder straps. My brother has a SailRite (?) heavy duty sewing machine. This will be my first "real" project.

My real question may just be about canoe pack construction in general.

Trying to keep it basic- with just one compartment. Maybe a slip pocket on the top. Probably a zipper top that I will bring to a seamstress in town to install. What material do you recommend?
500 denier cordura or something heavier? Is the a particular weight? I'm trying reserach the internet- but there is too much information out there to get it straight.

Can you get ready made padded hip belts? (I googled hip pads... and lmfao at what I found.... :)

If anyone has recommendations on materials or sources let me know. I hope there's enough willing people to chime in. I know this forum topic is fairly light used, I'm trying to use your expertise to cut down my research time.

Help get me started! (I will post pictures along the way)
 
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wingnut
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01/26/2019 02:24PM  
I'm sure others with more experience will chime in but in the meantime you can use the search button to find a good link, PDF that was posted by a member a couple of years ago that built his own portage pack for the scouts. Lots of good tips Including padded straps. Should be a good starting point for your own custom pack. The description of your pack makes me think of a pack that could be mounted under your seat or carried on your waist or chest while portaging. The choice of material you could use would be totally personal. Waxed canvas, Canvas, Pack cloth, Cordura or any of the lightweight alternatives. 500 Denier would a good choice or if you use canvas you could refer to the Duluth pack company's site to compare the weights of fabric on a similar sized pack as you want to make. Quest outfitters is one source I use. Seattle fabrics and ripstop by the roll are a couple more. Don't be Intimidated by Zippers, they are not that hard to do. And like making your own equipment adds a sense of accomplishment when It's finished. The Sailrite machines look like they do a good job and I'm sure would be up to the task. Looking forward to the pics of your project.
 
THEGrandRapids
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01/26/2019 04:48PM  
wingnut: " I'm sure others with more experience will chime in but in the meantime you can use the search button to find a good link, PDF that was posted by a member a couple of years ago that built his own portage pack for the scouts. ..........The description of your pack makes me think of a pack that could be mounted under your seat or carried on your waist or chest while portaging. "


Awesome- Thanks for the direction. I searched for the scout PDF and amazingly its still there to be downloaded.

Chest pack! great idea. The intent is to make a half pack that can be carried with ease with a "full load" so either a portage bag or a canoe. a couple attachments for the chest could be the same quick attachments I'll use for the thwart connection.
 
WindChill
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01/26/2019 06:37PM  
THEGrandRapids: "
wingnut: "... in the meantime you can use the search button to find a good link, PDF that was posted by a member a couple of years ago that built his own portage pack for the scouts. ...."


Awesome- Thanks for the direction. I searched for the scout PDF and amazingly its still there to be downloaded."


Sounds like wingnut was suggesting my instructions (they mention Troop 47 from Vinton Iowa). If that is the one you found - Im still around. And so others have it, here is the link:
(portage pack instructions document)


Another route you might consider - I always thought that a bicycle handlebar bag would make a pretty good thwart bag. You might find it easier to add a belt to something that is already the right shape and size as opposed to creating the whole thing from scratch. Or - at least you may find a pre-made bag useful for ideas and patterns.

 
Tomcat
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01/27/2019 03:35AM  
 
Tomcat
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01/27/2019 05:09PM  
 
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