Alpacka Raft Mage Whitewater Packraft
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Faster, smoother, and more responsive – the Mage takes whitewater to the next level.
The Mage is the next generation of whitewater packrafts, blending the evolutionary improvements of the legendary Gnarwhal hull with the performance features of the groundbreaking Valkyrie. Designed for the ultimate in speed, smoothness, and responsiveness, this is the fastest traditional whitewater packraft we've ever made.
The Mage features a low-volume center panel stern hull that's longer and narrower than both the Expedition and Gnarwhal, providing enhanced speed and tracking while maintaining a lighter weight and increased cargo capacity compared to the Valkyrie. A subtle increase in bow and stern rocker ensures you stay high and dry when launching off drops and punching through features without compromising on speed.
Equipped with a one-piece dropped floor and full-length inflatable pad, the Mage offers superior secondary stability, edging, and speed – all hallmarks of the Valkyrie. For maximum control, we’ve included a lace-in whitewater seat, patented 4-point thigh straps, backband, and whitewater footbrace to ensure the best fit for every paddler.
Available in both a whitewater deck and self-bailing configuration, the Mage is built for versatility and performance in varying conditions. The self-bailing drain holes with mesh-backed venturi flaps not only increase speed but keep you drier, especially when surfing. Whether you're navigating technical rapids or embarking on long whitewater expeditions, the Mage delivers the perfect balance of performance and practicality.
BUILD CONFIGURATIONS
Self Bailer
A self-bailing packraft has drainage in the floor, so when water gets in, it drains back out. You will get wet in a self-bailing raft, so they are best for white water in warm weather or use with a dry suit. Alpacka's self bailing design features a lightweight thick seat in the rear that is protected by a sleeve and a heavy-duty baffled foot brace in the front that keeps your feet up and out of the water.
Whitewater Deck
The Removable WW Deck functions like a breakdown kayak style deck and features a large cockpit, one-piece pex coaming and an ultralight secure fitting spray skirt, plus a water-resistant perimeter zipper to convert to an open (non self-bailing) boat for more relaxing days. The Removable WW Deck maximises versatility for the broadest range of paddling conditions.
Cargo Fly Zipper
The cargo fly zipper is the ultimate packraft gear storage solution. The cargo fly is an airtight zipper installed in the stern of the boat to allow you to load your gear inside the tubes. The system provides drier and more secure gear storage and improved paddling performance due to a lower centre of gravity. The cargo fly zipper option is perfect for expeditions, whitewater performance and keeping your gear dry in wet conditions.
Internal Dry Bags may be purchased separately and are designed to work with the Cargo Fly system. The bags clip in place along each side of the tubes with a side release buckle and allow for better organisation and weight balance than placing the contents of your pack loose inside the cargo fly. They also act as additional balanced air chambers to make it easier to get to shore in the event of a puncture.
FEATURES & USES
Features
- Attachments: 4 bow grab loops, 4 stern grab loops, offset D-Rings, ankle loops, 12-position thigh strap ladder plates, 3-position backband ladder plate
- Included Seating and Rigging: Full Length Mage Floor (SB or WW specific), Whitewater Lace-in Seat, Whitewater Footbrace, Foam Backband, Patented 4-Point Thigh Straps, PEX Rim Pole (Spray Skirt Sold Separately)
- Build Configurations: Self Bailing & Whitewater Deck
- Cargo Fly: Standard (Internal Dry Bags sold separately)
- Materials: Proprietary TPU Coated 210d or 420d nylon hull and 840d nylon floor (Made in USA)
- Includes: Inflation Bag, Stuff Sack, Cargo Fly Kit, and Basic Repair Kit
Uses
- Whitewater: The perfect model for the intermediate to advanced whitewater packrafter, the Mage is ideal for leveling up your skill and performance in Class III-IV+ whitewater. The Mage is also the top performing whitewater self-bailer. For Class IV/V whitewater and kayakers, especially on shorter trips with less gear, we recommend the Valkyrie. The Mage is a better choice for longer trips with more gear.
- Lightwater: The Mage is a standout performer in lightwater, and it’s a great boat for packrafters looking to develop skills before progressing to harder whitewater. If you don’t plan on paddling anything more difficult than Class III, we recommend the Expedition or Gnarwhal for more versatility.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
Mage vs. Gnarwhal vs. Expedition
The Mage is superior across the board in whitewater. It's faster. It edges and holds an edge better. It tracks through features better. It carves and eddies better. Its easier to roll. But its not as beginner friendly.
- The Mage is the preferred choice for the intermediate to advanced packrafter.
- The Gnarwhal is recommended for the beginner to intermediate whitewater packrafter.
- The Expedition is the more versatile choice for a mix of flatwater, lightwater, whitewater, and backpacking focused trips.
Valkryie vs Mage
The Valkyrie is the highest performance in whitewater especially Class IV/V and our recommendation for kayakers or expert packrafters.The Mage is lighter, more packable, has greater cargo capacity, and is offered in a self bailer. Its our recommendation for maximum whitewater performance and versatility for intermediate and advanced packrafters.
SIZING AND SPECIFICATIONS
Paddler Sizing Chart
| Small | Medium | Large | X-Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddler Height (Feet/Inches) |
Under 5'7" | 5'6"-5'11" | 5'9"-6'2" | 6'1"-6'6" |
| Paddler Height (CM) |
Under 170cm | 168 - 180cm | 175 - 188cm | 186 - 198cm |
The Mage is designed for a true to size fit with enough knee bend to engage the thigh straps, but keep your legs more extended for better downriver performance. If you are in between sizes, the smaller size will generally provide more positive thigh strap engagement.
Dimensions
| Small | Medium | Large | X-Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Length | 239cm | 246cm | 257cm | 262cm |
| Exterior Width | 86cm | 86cm | 89cm | 87cm |
| Interior Length | 110cm | 117cm | 124cm | 132cm |
| Interior Width at Hips | 40.5cm | 37cm | 38cm | 37.5cm |
| Packed Size | 22.86 x 55.88cm |
22.86 x 55.88cm |
22.86 x 55.88cm |
22.86 x 55.88cm |
Due to the handmade nature of our packrafts, dimensions are averages and will vary slightly from boat to boat.
Weights
Self Bailer Weights
| Small | Medium | Large | X-Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210d Base Weight | 2.54kg | 2.63kg | 2.72kg | 2.81kg |
| 210d Kitted Weight | 3.74kg | 3.85kg | 3.97kg | 4.08kg |
| 210d Complete Weight | 4.08kg | 4.18kg | 4.30kg | 4.42kg |
| 420d Base Weight | 3.06kg | 3.18kg | 3.29kg | 3.40kg |
| 420d Kitted Weight | 4.20kg | 4.42kg | 4.54kg | 4.64kg |
| 420d Complete Weight | 4.58kg | 4.54kg | 4.85kg | 4.99kg |
Whitewater Deck Weights
| Small | Medium | Large | X-Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210d Base Weight | 2.84kg | 2.95kg | 3.06kg | 3.18kg |
| 210d Kitted Weight | 4.20kg | 4.31kg | 4.42kg | 4.54kg |
| 210d Complete Weight | 4.53kg | 4.64kg | 4.76kg | 4.88kg |
| 420d Base Weight | 3.29kg | 3.40kg | 3.52kg | 3.74kg |
| 420d Kitted Weight | 4.64kg | 4.77kg | 4.88kg | 5.11kg |
| 420d Complete Weight | 5.11kg | 5.22kg | 5.33kg | 5.56kg |
Due to the handmade nature of our packrafts and natural variances in weights between different colors and production runs in our fabrics, all weights are estimated and will vary from boat to boat.
Base weight is the boat only. Kitted weight includes the seating and rigging. Complete weight is everything in the stuff sack at shipping.