From Russell:

"Paul...3 or 4 years ago I build a Baidarka from W. Brink's book....I decided
to try "hemp canvas" as the skin. Found a source for 12 or 14 oz material
(don't recall which) with which I skinned the boat. I washed the material in
really hot water expecting the material to shrink about 2% (the source from
which I purchased the material indicated I should expect this amount of
shrinkage). After skinning the boat I used a hot iron and damp cloth to
"steam" shrink the material as much as possible..The skin turned out "drum
tight" and I was really pleased with the appearance. I decided to use
Thompsons Deck seal to help water proof the skin before putting on the
exterior grade polyurethane. After putting on the Thompsons I figured I'd
need to wait a day or two for it to dry...When I checked the boat the
following morning I had a REAL surprise...the skin had STRETCHED ...so much
so that I could pull at least another 4 inches of material when I pull from
the stern..The skin was so loose that I'd have needed to redo the entire skin
job. Rather than take another chance with this material I decided to use the
number 10 cotton canvas Brink recommended in his book. Used the boat with
the canvas skin for about a year and it seemed to hold up pretty good. Built
a second Baidarka and used nylon and I was very satisfied with that.
Finally, I decided to rebuild the first boat (the one with the canvas skin)
and chose polyester for that job. I'm most satisified with the polyester.
If you decide to try the hemp route for the skin I'd recommend a heavier
grade than I used and maybe experiment a little before going through the
actual skinning process....Russell"

: Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about making a skin on frame with
: hemp canvas, I figured it would work well, the old dutch boats had to have
: been made out of hemp, canvas is the old duch word for cannabis. What
: weight fabric would work best though? I'm planning on making a skin
: guillemot, does anyone else whose made one have any advice.