: If it does ?? Can I slit the canvas on the bottom of the stem,wrap it around
: and maybe put a thin rub strip over it ?

You can slit it as long as you seal the seam well. more on that later.

: Morris "s book calls for wetting nylon skin, do you do the same for
: canvas?

Yes. Putz suggests dampening the canvas with water and then painting it with an oilbased paint while it is still damp. I haven't tried this, and have not heard of others who suggest this. Wetting the canvascauses the fiberst to swell, effectively shrinking the skin a bit. If you can then freeze the position of the fibers in this tightened postion you'll be golden. Paint is the usual method of doing this, but it is not perfect. If the fibers get wet again those fibers absorb water and can easily stretch. But, dampening the fabric is the best way to go, even if it is not perfect.

: I plan to use Marine enamel to seal the boat, Will the paint make the skin
: stick to the Gunnels ,keel and stringers?

Don't use this. It is not as flexible as you need, and it will crack in a short time. Obviously, the cracks will allow water to slowly seep in, shortening the amount of time you can paddle between bailing. You want a rubber-based elastomeric roofing compound (snow roof) or an exterior latex paint (latex is natural rubber), or an oil-based exterior house paint which has been mixed with additional boiled linseed oil to increase its flexibility. The paint film deposit by a marine enamel is just too brittle. If time permits I may go take a few pictures of my test kayak and show where the marine enamel over the rubberized base has adhered very nicely, despite the extensive cracking.

It is very important to add a mildew preventative to any coating you apply, or paint one on before you put on your waterproof coating. You can mix a mildewcide with water and spray it on when you shrink the skin. You can add more to a water-based coating. Canvas is a natural material, and when it gets damp spores from molds will find it a lovely place to set up residence. Discouraging them is a continual process, which will contribute to long life of your kayak skin.

Hope this helps

PGJ