Hi Bram,

> Well Paul, my use of PVC was totally my own initiative and I had to
> develop the method on my own as at the time I was not Internet literate
> and didn't have the luxury of all the experience given at this and other
> BBS's.

Thanks for sharing your experience, yours and other peoples ideas on these boards are very much appreciated.

> As there is very little stretch, my kayak was done with 6 panels all glued
> together with a heat set 3/4" wide seam. The method used created an
> indestructable seam which isn't very noticeable.

This sounds similar to the method used by the Maroske brothers (not that I totally understand their method either). I was looking to see if there were any other ways of skinning with pvc but you've convinced me this is the way to go.

One last question. Can you tell me in a few simple steps how the panels are attached? I think the Maroskes' loosely sewed the top hull panels to the gunwales, then wrapped the two bottom pieces over the keel. Then as far as my understanding goes these were sewed to the upper pieces, kind of laced like a shoe, tightened, and then the middle pieces were glued in, and the lacing and extra material removed. Then the ends were done seperately and then glued to the strips.

> If you are familiar with the baidarka list server there is info there on
> similar applications to yours. Nick's web site has info somewhere for the
> list server. A gentleman called Stefano Morreti, I think has completed a
> folding kayak using PVC material similar to what I used.

Stefano was following the Maroske brother's procedure, I was trying to find any alternate ideas.

Thanks very, very much. Paul