Self-bailer
Also: self-bailer, self-bailing packraft
Instead of a spray deck, a self-bailer has drain holes in the floor and an inflatable floor mat. Water that splashes in drains out by itself.
- 1Side tube
- 2Floor mat: seat above the waterline
- 3Drain holes: water runs out
- 4Waterline
According to the Packrafting Store you sit above the waterline, so water drains out by itself. Self-bailers show their strengths in whitewater, because frequent getting in, out and over is made much easier. By design there is always some residual water in the boat, so watersports clothing is advisable.
Examples: Anfibio Revo CL and XL, Sigma TXLB+, Omega C2B+, MRS Alligator SB or the Mekong Pablo Pro in its self-bailing configuration.
Tip: In cold water a self-bailer without a dry suit is unpleasant: Luc Mehl writes that he would be too cold in a self-bailer because his feet sit in water.
Matching gear
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Anfibio Revo CL* (advertising, external link, opens in a new window)Anfibio Sigma TXLB+* (advertising, external link, opens in a new window)Anfibio Omega C2B+* (advertising, external link, opens in a new window)Mekong Pablo Pro* (advertising, external link, opens in a new window)
Sources and further reading
Research as of 13 Nov 2026. We have marked manufacturer information as such.