: My question is did I sew the
: aft deck to tight? It is drum tight and sounds nice when I tap it. Do you
: think it will be to tight to slip the frame in and out of? I am also
: thinking that I have made it to tight longitudinally, but I can easily let
: out an inch before I coat the skin tonight. I also have to do the cockpit
: tonight. I plan on doing the laciing hardware tomorrow night. I need to
: travel with it on Thursday.

: Mike

Though possible, it will very difficult to get the aft section of the frame
to slide in the aft skin all the way. And on a folder, it's all the way or
nothing. If it won't slide into the stern, just make a full length opening.
If you can slide it in, let me know. I'll give it another try.

I make my skins anout 1/2" too long on each end, to allow easier skin
attachment. Too loose, both longitudinally and laterally is better than too
tight. You could go even looser, and add sponsons to tighten it up. Once you
cut open your sewn skin, it will never be drum tight again.

Lacing is a secure deck closure method, but if only grommets are used, it takes
a while to lace. Speed lacing is much faster, but I had to make my own, as
the commercial types wouldn't allow me to use rivets as the hook was in the way.

Sewn and coated polyester is reputed to be non-shrink. In fact, when
stored for some time, or when put away damp, will "tighten up" just a little,
and a little is all it takes to make assembly lots of work.

A good rule of thumb for making folding skins is to forget everything you know
about making non-folding skins.

Good luck,

Tom