Using constrained minimisation and a decomposition in Fourier space, we prove that the Kadomtsev--Petviashvili (KPI) equation modified with the exact dispersion relation from the gravity-capillary water-wave problem admits a family of small solitary solutions, approximating these of the standard KPI equation. The KPI equation, as well as its fully dispersive counterpart, describes gravity-capillary waves with strong surface tension. This is joint work with Mark Groves, Saarbru}cken.