Stuart -

I've no experience with the hypalon, and am very interested in how it works out for you. Last year I got a Folbot Super in need of some work. It was immensely heavy, and I found out the hull had an extra layer of thick vinyl to cover the patches in the two layers that normally make up the hull. The outer layer was loose, and when I removed it I found the next layer down was covered with whatever hard black adhesive the previous owner had used to try to bond the outer layer.

So it's lighter in weight now but still needs to be reskinned. I was considering using aircraft dacron heat-shrunk like the Geodesic Aerolite boats. I think this would be very light, would shrink to fit the frame, but probably be a little fragile - no beach landings.

Anyone have experience going that route?

-- Dave