I did decide to go with the zipper instead of grommets and speed hooks. I did lengthen the skin before I painted it. The skin came off okay, but had a tight spot right arount the cockpit. I haven't tried to put it back on yet, but expect it will go on okay. My wife Tammy had mercy on me and sewed the zipper on for me. She was over 3/4 done when I left this morning. Maybe I'll check it at lunch.

: 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