For a couple of years Longshore International sold self-branded packrafts from China, as did a few other ‘side-hustlers’ at that time.

Tim (left) actually undertook mini adventures with his products and in 2018 we reviewed their EX280 tandem in Scotland (right).
But Longshore and most others shut down, possibly due to supply issues during Covid, even if demand went off the charts at that time. The website expired and their YouTube vids were deleted, but a couple of Tim’s yarns remain online at Medium (an early SubStack?), including this two day hike and paddle along the Devons’ south coast.
Interestingly, he advises that some of South Devon’s many estuaries are privately owned, something I found out myself the other day while recce’ing the Fleet lagoon near Portland. No all UK tidal waters are freely accessed it seems, but at least they are extensive.
Most pics by Longshore.

Over two days we hiked and paddled about 40km. Whilst we were carrying a little more gear than other hikers we met along the South West Coastal Path, our packrafts enabled us to cut across rivers whilst they had to traipse inland looking for a crossing. We also had the option to vary our route away from the official path, exploring otherwise inaccessible creeks, coves and estuaries. I suspect the sea kayakers we launched with, arrived far quicker than us but travelling only at sea level they missed some stunning views from the jagged pinnacles and tors above the coastal cliffs.
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