> a friend of mine has rescued an old cedar kayak frame from the hands of a
> teacher coleague who was entertaining the notion of giving it a viking
> burial. its nine feet long , has a couple of damaged strips, and was
> originally covered with canvas,tacked to the frame. .I think I understand
> the strip repairs, but the skin is a deep subject. I have a little
> experience with fiberglass tape , from a Bolger skiff I made a few years
> ago. How would you go about putting a skin on the frame ? what cloth would
> you reccomend? suppliers? any advice appreciated.

Scooter,

If the skin was originally tacked to the frame you could tack it again, use rustproof staples to staple it on, or sew it on.

The traditional standard for canvas kayaks is 14 oz. #10 cotton duck. Other options are polyester, nylon, and dacron. You can go lighter with the synthetics, they are stronger for their weight and are less prone to rot.

I bought my canvas at a tent and awning store. I will use a synthetic next time. Tent and awning stores also carry synthetics.

George Dyson Company in Bellingham WA has both nylon and polyester suitable for skinning kayaks. He also carries coatings for the skin, which you did not ask about.

Possible coatings are oil paint, latex roof paint, Hypalon, neoprene, and urethane. I used Elast-o-Seal (primer) and Snow-Roof on my skin kayak and have been pleased with the result. It was easy to apply, non-toxic, and is quite durable.

Mike