Many people, often including myself, do exactly what you describe, and it works very well. The only drawback is the rubrail covering the seam - which is not "authentic" for a Greenland style kayak. It's purely an aesthetic issue - though the rubrails often look very nice.

Good luck with your project!

: It seems that everyone sews their skins to their frames. Is there a
: reason for doing this other than the aesthetic? Is there any
: reason not to attach my skin in two pieces by stapling the hull
: to the gunwhales, then stapling the deck to the gunwhales, and
: covering the seams with a thin strip of cedar?

: Getting ready to cover my first kayak, and just want to make sure
: before I do someting stupid.

: Thanks,

: John R