Kelly,

Sounds like the skin is shot. You could try to save the skin as a pattern for a new skin, or just totally start from scratch on a new skin. It does sound like it needs to be removed. If possible cut it off at the seams. Definitely check out the frame, repair where needed, and replace the skin. Frames on skin kayaks usually last much longer than the skin, so hopefully you shouldn't have to do much in the way of frame repairs. There are a lot of different options on skin types and coatings. You could use canvas, nylon, polyester, or PVC for the skin, and oil paint, latex roof paint, urethane, hypalon, or neoprene for the coating. All of these have their pros and cons. I am planning on using polyester and latex roof paint on the one I am currently building, I used #10 14 oz. canvas and latex roof paint on my previous skin kayak.

Cut away and let us know what you find.

Mike

: Picked up (for free) a home-made "kayak" last summer. It has a
: wooden cockpit, what looks like a canvas skin, and nastily cracked paint
: of some sort on the canvas. VERY fragile skin, my cat (clumsy oaf!) popped
: a hole through the top; I found what looks like blown insulation inside
: the bow. My thinking is take a razor to the existing skin, check out the
: frame. If it looks solid, I'll go from there. If not, I'll junk it and
: fantasize about building my own someday... Aside from Brink's book and
: Putz' book (which I'll be getting from my library this weekend), does
: anyone have any advice before I pull out my utility razor?

: Thanks in advance,

: Kelly in Vermont