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Whitewater Tandem Self-Bailer
The MRS Viking EVO X2 takes the high-performance, self-bailing architecture of the solo Viking EVO and stretches it into a heavy-duty tandem whitewater machine. Designed for two paddlers tackling sustained rapids, the elongated hull maintains excellent tracking while the drain holes instantly shed waves that crash over the bow, keeping the boat buoyant and agile through massive water.
The drainage holes are concentrated under each paddler’s heels and equipped with shielding plates that reduce drag — the same Viking EVO innovation, scaled to a tandem hull refined from the Barracuda R2 platform.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Viking EVO X2 | Material |
| Body | 13.7 lb (6190 g) | 420D Nylon, 0.4 mm TPU coating |
| Floor | — | 840D Nylon, 0.6 mm TPU coating |
| Front seat | 1.0 lb (467 g) | 70D Nylon |
| Rear seat | 1.0 lb (472 g) | 70D Nylon |
| Backrest | 0.6 lb (263 g) × 2 | EVA foam backrest |
| Grab loop | 1.3 oz (36 g) | |
| Skeg | 3.0 oz (86 g) | |
| 5P thigh straps | 1.3 lb (573 g) × 2 | Silicone-coated CORDURA® 30D |
| Inflation bag | 7.1 oz (200 g) | Size M 100L, 840D Nylon |
| Tie strap | 0.9 oz (25 g) | |
| Valve | — | Standard Boston valve |
| Total weight | 20.2 lb (9150 g) |
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Dimensions
| Packraft | Viking EVO self bailer X2 |
| Length (outer) | 151 in (383 cm) |
| Length (inner) | 96 in (243 cm) |
| Width (outer) | 39 in (100 cm) |
| Width (inner) | 14 in (36 cm) |
| Water line (length) | 145 in (368 cm) |
| Water line (width) | 38 in (96 cm) |
| Tube | 13 in (32 cm) |
| Seat height | 7 in (18 cm) |
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Accessories
0.6 lb (263 g) * 2
1.0 lb (467 g)
1.0 lb (472 g)
1.3 lb (573 g) * 2
3.0 oz (86 g)
4.8 oz (135 g)
Patented Floor Design
The hull — refined from the Barracuda R2 platform with an MRS-patented self-bailing floor — is longer than the Barracuda R2 to improve tracking. The EVA foam backrests and ultra-light anti-slip 5P thigh straps are freely adjustable to suit each paddler’s height and body shape.
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. Rinse the self-bailing floor and drainage holes after use in silty or muddy water to keep them clear.
- 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.
- ISS (TiZip) Care: Keep the zipper teeth meticulously clean. Before every trip, clear away sand with a soft brush and apply the included silicone lubricant to the zipper dock to maintain an airtight seal. Always ensure the zipper is fully closed before inflation. See our TiZip maintenance guide for full care instructions.
- 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. This is especially critical to prevent the TiZip from leaking.
- 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.
- Thigh Straps: Aggressively tension the thigh straps and adjust the backband before hitting rapids. A locked-in, tight fit is required for precise control.
- Drainage: The redesigned drainage floor has very low starting resistance — expect more agile starts/stops than traditional self-bailers. When entering calm water from rapids, some water will naturally sit in the floor; keep your weight centered to allow the drain holes to function efficiently.
- Comfort & Insulation: If you are paddling in cold water, we highly recommend wearing neoprene socks or paddling booties to retain body heat.
- Coordinate: Coordinate paddle cadence between the two paddlers — tandem touring is a communication exercise as much as a paddling one.
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.
Internal Storage System (ISS Models)
Available on Viking EVO self bailer X2 ISS models only.
Instructions for Use
1. Distribute weight evenly between the two storage bags. Because the bags cannot be accessed until the packraft is deflated, only store items that you will not need on the water.
2. Place your gear in the storage bag, fold the top closed, tighten as much as possible, and then insert the buckle at the top opening.
3. Open the TIZIP zipper and slide the storage bag into the packraft tube.
4. Once the storage bag is inside the tube, unfasten the top buckle, pass the strap through the two tie-downs, and re-fasten the buckle.
Tie-down fixings inside the tubes secure the storage bags in place, so they will not slide back and forth as the packraft moves.
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 Viking EVO X2 best for?
The Viking EVO X2 is best for heavy-duty tandem whitewater and Class II–IV skill-building runs. Its full self-bailing floor and shared two-paddler cockpit suit self-rescue practice, packraft instruction, and multi-day whitewater expeditions for two.
What is a self-bailing packraft?
A self-bailing packraft has a thick, inflatable floor and drain holes in the hull floor. When water splashes in from rapids or waves, it drains straight out through the bottom — keeping the boat from swamping so it stays buoyant and maneuverable in heavy whitewater.
What’s the difference between a self-bailer and a regular packraft, and how do I choose?
The difference is water management. A self-bailer lets water in and drains it back out continuously through holes in the floor; it uses a thick inflatable floor to lift you above those holes, which adds a little weight but allows very fast entry, exit, and self-rescue. A regular packraft — open or spray-decked — is built to keep water out with a lighter single-layer floor; if an open one swamps, you flip and dump it by hand.
For whitewater, choose a self-bailer for technical, shallow rivers with frequent scouting and portaging, where the open top lets you hop in and out without a restrictive skirt. Choose a spray deck for high-volume, cold rivers where staying dry matters most — it seals in body heat and sheds water, though it takes practice to exit quickly if you flip.
Do you get wet in a self-bailing packraft?
Yes. Because a self-bailer drains through open holes, there is always a little water on the floor and your lower body will get wet. In cold conditions, wear thermal protection such as a drysuit or wetsuit.
Are self-bailing packrafts slower on flat water?
Slightly. Two things slow a self-bailer on flat water: the drain holes and the inflatable-floor shape add hydrodynamic drag, and the small amount of water that always sits on the floor adds weight the boat has to carry. On lakes or slow rivers, a regular closed-floor packraft tracks and glides a bit faster.
For a long flat stretch where self-bailing isn’t needed, you can temporarily turn a self-bailer into a sealed-floor boat by taping the drain holes shut from the underside of the hull. This keeps water out and removes the drag-and-weight penalty for faster cruising; peel the tape off to restore self-bailing before the next whitewater section.
Is this MRS's only whitewater self-bailing tandem?
No — MRS publishes two whitewater self-bailing tandems: the Viking EVO X2 (this product, the dedicated whitewater design with the redesigned high-drainage floor + shielding plates) and the Barracuda R2 Pro in its self-bailing-floor configuration (longer, sleeker hull geared toward adventure-race pace). Beyond MRS, no other manufacturer publishes a whitewater self-bailing tandem in this category — other brands offer either flat-water tandems (no whitewater rating) or solo whitewater self-bailers (no tandem option). Pick the EVO X2 for dedicated whitewater training; pick the R2 Pro Self-bailer for race pace on mixed water.
What's the difference between the Viking EVO X2 and the Barracuda R2 Pro Self-bailer?
Both are MRS's two whitewater self-bailing tandems — the only ones on the market. The Viking EVO X2 is the dedicated whitewater design, with a redesigned high-drainage floor and shielding plates, purpose-built for sustained Class II-IV whitewater. The Barracuda R2 Pro is the adventure-race tandem with a longer, sleeker hull optimized for tracking and pace, and it ships in two configurations (sealed spraydeck or self-bailing floor). Pick the Viking EVO X2 for dedicated whitewater training; pick the Barracuda R2 Pro for race or expedition pace on mixed water.
Should I choose the ISS or non-ISS version for racing?
For adventure racing and expedition use we generally recommend the non-ISS version. The Internal Storage System adds a TiZip zipper that needs cleaning and lubrication to stay airtight, so a non-ISS boat means one less thing to maintain and fewer points of potential trouble in the field. Choose the ISS version when in-tube dry storage matters more to you than the simpler upkeep.