One problem with exotic skins is that they most likely have to be sealed. The sealant may take away the original properties of the cloth you were hoping to take advantage of.

If you’re serious about skinning with the special material, buy a yard or 2 and run a series of tests. You’ll be amazed at 2 things: First, the varying textures created with different sealants (also after drying the cloth may become brittle), and second, how expensive exotic textiles are.

But don’t let me discourage you. You might be onto the boating discovery of the century… or at least the first step.

Roger

: While making a three hour drive to get my son... i had a lot of time for
: strange idea today. This culminated with a futile search for the random
: used kayak book at a large used book store near University of Tennessee
: campus while waiting to get him.

: In the olympics this last year, the big story tech wise was this new swimsuit
: fabric designed like a shark skin. It was supposed to agitate the water in
: such a way as to reduce the ammount of drag. Does anyone know the name of
: this fabric? Has anyone investigated it's properties for a boat skin?
: Maybe this would be more alont the line of a racing scull hull. Any ideas
: or knowledge?

: Perhaps this is just a deadend... but i was intrigued. I spent too much time
: last night in those artic kayak links!