Tammy finished sewing the zipper on. At lunch I put the skin on. It took some tugging but everything fits. I have some minor tweeking to do tonight, but it will fly out with me tomorrow! It will get some good beer poured over the bow on Friday!

: 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