I am wondering if you purchased pre-shrunk canvas instead of cotton duck. I have never had one of my skins fail to shrink. At times they shrink so tight that the frame squeaks. However it never stays as tight after it dries as it is when wet, but it should not sag. I use scalding hot water and rub it in with a sponge.

> An update-

> I pulled the skin in sections...restretched and retacked. It
> looked great until the next morning....elephant skin again.

> I've sprayed the interior with water and pulled the boat into
> an adjacent greenhouse (about 110 degress F) with hopes of shrinking
> the skin. With each application of water, the wood swells and the
> skin looks great, but it refuses to shrink. Of course, the skin bags
> again when the wood dries out.

> As the skin is great when wet, I expect she would look and perform
> well in the water. Should I finish her out, as is, knowing that she
> will be fine when damp?

> I've spent a lot of time around traditional boats that "hang
> in the slings" until the wood swells. Perfectly acceptable.

> Any thought?

> Many thanks! Geoff