Steve -

This sounds very like the old Folbot I obtained recently. It needs some work, including new paddle blades, replacing a missing backrest, and fixing up the broken coaming.

In addition, the naugahyde skin is puckered a little along the gunnel where the two layers have apparently separated, and it needs new strips along the bow and keel where the original has worn through. I plan to use a PDI product called 'vyna-bond' to bond the naugahyde.

Although the fabric is tough, one downside is it's immense weight. I'm sure the 18' boat is over 100 lbs. After I get it in the water to see if it's nice to paddle, I'd been thinking about reskinning it like the 'Geodesic Airolite' boats (http://www.geodesicairoliteboats.com/).

Does anyone have any comments about this idea?

Thanks - Dave

: I built a Folboat Super in 1982. At that time the stringers were spruce. The
: keel, frames and stems were marine plywood. The hull was covered with two
: layers of pvc coated fabric (naugahide). The first layer was stretched
: over the frame with the coated side inwards. The exterior of the first
: layer was then coated with contact cement and the second layer applied
: (coated layer outwards). The deck was one layer of the fabric. The end
: result was very tough. My next project is to make a plywood version of
: this boat (CLC Mill Creek 16.5) with a cedar strip deck.

: Good Luck on the restoration.

: Steve