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Self-Bailing Whitewater Packraft
The MRS Viking is a highly capable self-bailing whitewater packraft designed for rapid drainage and quick cockpit access. Utilizing a thick inflatable floor and strategically placed drain holes, it sheds water instantly without the need for a restrictive spray deck. This open-top, self-draining architecture makes it an excellent choice for paddlers navigating technical Class III rivers that require frequent step-out scouting, portaging, and aggressive maneuvering.
Built on the largest MRS whitewater hull platform (269 cm), the Viking pairs 11 drainage holes plus a tunable bow baffle plate with a half-cover adjustable inflatable floor and adjustable inflatable footrest — both can be extended or shortened to fit the paddler. An EVA foam backrest is included as standard equipment.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Viking Self Bailer | Material |
| Body | 8.0 lb (3620 g) | 420D Nylon, 0.4 mm TPU coating |
| Floor | — | 840D Nylon, 0.6 mm TPU coating |
| Seat | 1.0 lb (444 g) | 420D Nylon |
| Backrest | 0.6 lb (263 g) | EVA foam backrest |
| Adjustable footrest | 0.5 lb (240 g) | 210D Nylon |
| Quick-lock 5P thigh strap | 0.8 lb (350 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 | 11.5 lb (5230 g) | |
| Recommended paddler weight | 225 lb (102 kg) | |
| Recommended capacity | 298 lb (135 kg) |
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Dimensions
| Packraft | Viking Self Bailer |
| Length (outer) | 106 in (269 cm) |
| Length (inner) | 54 in (136 cm) |
| Width (outer) | 36 in (92 cm) |
| Width (inner) | 14 in (35 cm) |
| Water line (length) | 94 in (238 cm) |
| Water line (width) | 33 in (84 cm) |
| Tube | 11 in (28.5 cm) |
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Accessories
0.6 lb (263 g)
1.0 lb (444 g)
0.8 lb (350 g)
0.5 lb (240 g)
3.0 oz (86 g)
4.8 oz (135 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. Rinse the self-bailing floor and drain 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: 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.
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 Self Bailer 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 best for?
The Viking is best for technical Class II–IV whitewater and after-work river runs. Its full self-bailing floor drains the cockpit between rapids and lets paddlers re-enter and keep going after a swim without stopping to bail — ideal for cold-water and big-water trips.
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.
How does the Viking Self Bailer compare to the Alligator and Mini-Shark?
The Alligator has a sealed spraydeck that keeps water out of the cockpit; the Viking drains it instead. The Mini-Shark is a kayak-style smaller-tube whitewater raft. Sealed-deck (Alligator) keeps the paddler drier in cold water and big waves; self-bailers (Viking, Mini-Shark) are simpler and never need re-emptying when conditions calm down. The Viking has the largest hull volume of the three.
What's the difference between the Viking and the Viking EVO?
The Viking EVO introduces a redesigned self-bailing floor that addresses the slow response that has long limited self-bailing packrafts — the most comprehensive innovation in the category in years. The result is an agile self-draining boat; paddlers familiar with traditional self-bailers will notice the difference immediately. Choose the EVO for the higher-drainage floor design; the standard Viking is the go-to for everyday whitewater on the proven 11-hole + baffle plate floor.
I’m a tall paddler — will I be able to reach the front of the boat for control?
Yes. The Viking’s inflatable floor and footrest are both adjustable — they can be extended or shortened to fit your leg length — so even taller paddlers can brace against the footrest for precise control. The cockpit has a 54 in (136 cm) inner length, and the included adjustable footrest is designed specifically to fill the gap and give you a solid foot brace.
Can I mount a bow or stern bag on the Viking?
Yes. The Viking does not have an open bow, so it is compatible with bow and stern bags for expedition loads. On a self-bailer the bow bag can overlap part of the footrest area, so pack it so it doesn’t interfere with your foot brace; mounting it slightly higher on the bow keeps your feet clear.
Can the ISS internal storage be added to my Viking later?
No — the Internal Storage System (ISS) is built into the tubes during manufacturing and is chosen when you order, so it cannot be retrofitted afterward. If you run multi-day, self-supported trips where in-tube storage matters, configure the ISS version up front rather than the standard Viking.