> 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.

> 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.

> Thanks for any help.Kelly

DON"T sew it on. You cannot get out in a hurry if you have to. If you don't want to bend the wood, you can always make it out of fibreglass,... Naaa....