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Family Fun Packraft
The MRS Fin Whale is a high-capacity titan of the packraft world, engineered for massive space and impressive hauling performance. Boasting an interior that is 30% larger than the Barracuda R2, it is the ultimate vessel for family expeditions, paddling with large dogs, or hauling heavy hunting and camping gear. To maintain exceptional rigidity under heavy loads, the Fin Whale upgrades the sidewalls to a rugged 420D nylon, ensuring it holds its streamlined shape and glides effortlessly even when packed to its massive 772-pound capacity.
The highly customizable seating, featuring a front-to-back adjustable middle seat, gives you total control over passenger and gear distribution. There’s additional usable space behind the rear seat for gear or a small passenger.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Fin Whale | Material |
| Body | 12.7 lb (5750 g) | 420D Nylon, 0.4 mm TPU coating |
| Floor | — | 840D Nylon, 0.6 mm TPU coating |
| Front seat | 0.7 lb (330 g) | 210D Nylon |
| Rear seat | 0.5 lb (242 g) | 210D Nylon |
| Backrest | 0.7 lb (330 g) each | EVA foam backrest |
| Adjustable footrest/seat | 0.6 lb (255 g) | 210D Nylon |
| Inflation bag | 4.8 oz (135 g) | Silicone-coated CORDURA® 30D |
| Tie strap | 0.9 oz (25 g) | |
| Valve | — | Standard Boston valve |
| Total weight | 15.9 lb (7222 g) | |
| Recommended paddler weight | 397 lb (180 kg) | |
| Recommended capacity | 772 lb (350 kg) |
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Dimensions
| Packraft | Fin whale |
| Length (outer) | 164 in (417 cm) |
| Length (inner) | 107 in (272 cm) |
| Width (outer) | 41 in (103 cm) |
| Width (inner) | 16 in (40 cm) |
| Water line (length) | 156 in (395 cm) |
| Water line (width) | 35 in (90 cm) |
| Tube | 12 in (31.5 cm) |
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Comparison Between Fin Whale and Barracuda R2
| Item | Fin Whale | Barracuda R2 |
| Length (outer) | 164 in (417 cm) | 140 in (356 cm) |
| Width (outer) | 41 in (103 cm) | 38 in (97 cm) |
| Length (inner) | 107 in (272 cm) | 85 in (217 cm) |
| Width (inner) | 16 in (40 cm) | 14 in (35 cm) |
| Hull fabric | 420D Nylon, 0.4 mm TPU coating | 210D Nylon, 0.35 mm TPU coating |
| Floor fabric | 840D Nylon, 0.6 mm TPU coating | 840D Nylon, 0.6 mm TPU coating |
| Total weight | 15.9 lb (7.22 kg) | 11.2 lb (5.1 kg) |
| Recommended paddler weight | 397 lb (180 kg) | 386 lb (175 kg) |
| Recommended capacity | 772 lb (350 kg) | 507 lb (230 kg) |
Accessories
0.7 lb (330 g)
0.7 lb (330 g)
0.5 lb (242 g)
0.6 lb (255 g)
3.0 oz (86 g)
4.8 oz (135 g)
3.6 oz (102 g)
Care & Maintenance
- Heat Expansion: Air expands rapidly under heat. Never leave a fully inflated packraft sitting on shore in direct sunlight. Always release the valve on the packraft, seats, and backrests when out of the water to prevent pressure blowouts and seam stress.
- Freshwater Rinse: Always rinse the hull thoroughly with clean freshwater after paddling in saltwater, silty rivers, or sandy environments.
- Floor Crevice Cleaning: Sand and gravel can get trapped between the inflatable floor and the outer tubes. Deflate the boat slightly and flush these crevices with water to prevent the grit from acting like sandpaper against the TPU.
- Complete Drying: Never pack a wet raft away for long-term storage. Wipe it down with a towel and let it air dry completely in the shade to prevent mold, mildew, and polyurethane degradation.
- Climate-Controlled Storage: Store the deflated boat loosely rolled in a cool, dry place away from direct heat sources, extreme freezing temperatures, and harsh chemicals.
Performance Tips
- Cold Water Tempering: Air is highly sensitive to temperature. When transferring an inflated packraft from land into cold water, the internal air will condense and soften the tubes — this is normal, not a leak. Let the boat sit in the water for two minutes, then top off the pressure with a pump until the chambers feel firm again.
- Weight Distribution: To maximize hull speed and reduce side-to-side "yaw", distribute weight evenly. Heavy gear should be placed forward, as it helps lock the raft into a straight line.
- Skeg Installation: Always insert the tracking fin before fully inflating the boat. Using a skeg drastically improves forward paddling efficiency and reduces yaw. Choose the small skeg for whitewater maneuverability, or the large skeg for optimal straight-line tracking on open lakes and long river stretches.
- Seat: To enhance comfort, the seat cushion’s air pressure can be reduced — this lowers the seat height and lets it conform better to the body, also improving backrest support.
- Air Pressure: The Fin Whale inflates to 2.5-3 PSI (higher than the 1.5 PSI standard on most MRS models) for hull rigidity on this larger high-capacity platform — adjust within the range based on weather and water temperature.
Warranty
- 3-Year Guarantee: Every MRS packraft includes a 3-year warranty against material and manufacturing defects.
- Zipper Coverage: ISS (TiZip) zippers are warranted separately for 1 year.
- US-Based Support: All inspections, claims, and support are handled directly from our California facility for fast, hassle-free service.
New to packrafting? Our How-To & Care Guide covers inflation and the valve system, paddle sizing, field repairs, care & maintenance, and more.
FAQ
What is the Fin Whale best for?
The Fin Whale is best for high-capacity family expeditions and heavy gear hauling on lakes and calm rivers. Its 772 lb (350 kg) load capacity and roomy open-deck hull make room for a second paddler, a child or dog, and multi-day kit.
What weight can the Fin Whale carry?
Recommended total capacity (paddlers plus gear) is 772 lb (350 kg) — the largest tandem capacity in the MRS lineup. The Maximum Single Paddler Weight is 397 lb (180 kg) (concentrated single-paddler load is more demanding on the hull than evenly distributed multi-paddler load). Exceeding the total capacity won’t sink the boat — it has significant buoyancy — but it will affect maneuverability, stability, material load, and water resistance.
How does the Fin Whale compare to the Barracuda R2?
The Fin Whale is longer (164 in vs 140 in outer length), wider (41 in vs 38 in), with 30% more interior space, and built on the 420D Pro-fabric hull (vs the Barracuda R2’s 210D standard fabric). Total capacity 772 lb (350 kg) vs the R2’s 507 lb (230 kg). Pick the Fin Whale for family flotillas and high-load expeditions; pick the Barracuda R2 for adventure-race pace at lower pack weight.
Why is the air pressure 2.5-3 PSI instead of 1.5 PSI?
The Fin Whale’s larger hull volume needs higher inflation pressure to stay rigid under high loads. Most MRS models use 1.5 PSI; the Fin Whale and the Mini-Shark are exceptions with supplier-specified higher pressures. Adjust within 2.5-3 PSI based on weather and water temperature.
Can the middle seat hold a child?
Yes — the middle seat features front-to-back adjustment, providing flexible space for carrying cargo or accommodating a child onboard. There’s also additional usable space behind the rear seat for gear or a second small passenger.
Is there a self-bailing version of the Fin Whale?
No — the Fin Whale is built only as an open-deck hull, with no self-bailing configuration. It’s designed for lakes and calm rivers rather than whitewater; on rocky, fast-moving water the floor is exposed to impacts it isn’t rated for. If you need a self-bailing tandem for whitewater, look to the Viking EVO X2 or the Barracuda R2 Pro instead.