> I have two questions about suitable coverings for skin kayaks.

> What would be the lightest material that would provide _reasonable_
> service (lake use only, and trying to be fairly careful with the kayak).I
> am trying to decide if I will be making a serious mistake by saving money
> in using a cotton twill I saw today.I compare it to some samples of 8 to
> 15 ounce nylon I have and it felt much like the 8 ounce. I can find the
> heavy weight canvas here, but it is quite expensive, and at only 90 cm
> width means I have to buy twice as much. So what do you think of a cotton
> twill at around 8 ounces? Or should I bite the bullet and buy the canvas,
> or mail order the nylon? And as for covering, I was planning on exterior
> house paint or exterior varnish. I read somewhere to stay away from latex
> paints. Why? I would think the latex (latex is rubber, isn't it??) would
> offer some abrasion resistance.

I used #10 (~14 oz.) canvas, and that is most widely recommended, heavier = card board and lighter = less puncture resistance. I also used a recommended concoction of boiled linseed oil and exterior primer as the first two layers with a layer Captains Varnish. The skin has been surprizingly tough. I have run it over a barnicle covered rock (not intentional) and there was little to no sign of the "activity." There is alot of debate on the best covering. I used the least toxic alternative and the materials are easier to work with.

The baidarka mailing list archive is the best source on the debate. It also provides formulas for the concoction...

> Second question - I am really not all that excited about going through the
> steambending thing again for the coaming. Other than holding the
> sprayskirt, is there a reason a coaming is neccessary? I had this idea
> that I might be able to actually sew a skirt onto the skin of the kayak
> itself, and use either a bungie or a drawstring to tighten it around my
> waist, loosely, of course ;) I am sure I saw a skin kayak with one
> somewhere, but can't find the photo. Does this idea sound possible? If so,
> how could I keep the skin tight on the deck? One idea is to sew a loop of
> rope or hose onto the edge of the opening, and sew the skirt on top of
> that.

I looked at an old Feathercraft with an attached spray skirt, the owner indicated if he could change one thing, the spray skirt design would be it...

willy

> Thanks for any help.Kelly