: I believe he calls for #10 duck, which is about 50% heavier than 10 ounce
: canvas. If you are not going to hit a lot of sharp objects you can get by
: with 10 ounce canvas. It is relatively cheap (particularly when it is on
: sale ) and should last for several years if you protect it from mildew.

: You definitely want the heaviest. Levi's ruggedest jeans are made from an 11
: ounce material I believe. It is probably woven specially for them, but if
: you could get your hands on something like that you could waterproof the
: inside, and not have to paint the outside. The more rough landings the
: more the exterior would take on a "stonewashed" look. On second
: thought, maybe that's not such a good idea.

: The coating you put on the fabric is going to provide some additional
: thickness, protection and weight. Kayaks have been covered with flimsy
: polyethylene tarps, so the 10 ounce fabric should be an improvement over
: that.

: Clarkcraft (www.clarkcraft.com) has a 15 ounce canvas for $7.75 a yard. That
: is my benchmark. If you can find something that heavy for less, definitely
: go for it. If the best deal by you for 10 ounce canvas is over $5 a yard
: I'd think twice, though. For an 18 foot kayak you'll need about 7 yards.
: for a 17 foot boat you'll need 6. If the 10 ounce cloth is $30 and the 15
: ounce cloth is $46.50 you are talking a difference of under $17. With that
: small of a difference, I'd opt for the heavier cloth. Even if I was on a
: budget.

: Now if you can get the 10 ounce for a GREAT discount, say about $3.50 to $4 a
: yard, I'd go with that. You are talking under $30 for the fabric. If you
: screw up, it is cheap to replace. If it only lasts 5 years, it is cheap to
: replace. If it needs to be patched every other time you hit the beach too
: hard, then you are not out a lot and you know for sure to replace it with
: a heavier fabric.

: By the way, my test SOF frame was covered in 10 ounce canvas from the local
: fabric shop, and two coats of elastomeric roof paint. (Snow roof) This has
: been outside in the elements for over three years. It should have had a
: mildew preventative, as it has rotted away in areas where moisture has
: condensed on the inside of the covering. When I built that frame I meant
: to use the 10 ounce fabric just for a test, and then do the
: "real" skin from the heavier canvas.

: The fabric store also had a polyester canvas which was listed as an awning
: fabric. It is not waterproofed, but is brightly colored and
: waterprepellant.They sell it in stripes and solid colors. (I got solid
: blue) I was thinking of using this for the deck. It would breathe and for
: the river and lake paddling I do I thought it would provide a suitable,
: inexpensive, UV resistant,deck covering. This is something I still have
: yet to try, but you might want to. I think I paid $4.44 a yard for it, and
: justified the price based on saving about $12 a can for boat paint.

: Hope this helps.

: By the way, have you considered dacron? George Dyson sells some stuff that is
: thicker than either of these canvases, and much tougher. Think along the
: lines of the material that your seats belts are made from! Dacron covered
: with a polyurethane seems to be the big competitor to canvas covered with
: paint.

: PGJ

Paul
Will 6 yards be enough for a 17' boat?
Putz seems to advise 2 full lenghts, one for the hull ,one for the deck.
Do you suggest laying it bias on the hull using the excess for the deck?

Many Thanks Terry