: My main interest in the lacing w/flap idea is that it might allow for
: tensioning the skin and would separate tensioning and closure functions,
: permitting the use of a weaker zipper. I wonder if a light coil zipper
: sealed by rubbing bee's wax on it would work as long as the zipper wasn't
: under a significant lateral load.

There is very little lateral load tension on a folding skin at the deck, so
little that just a Velcro strip on a flap is all that is needed to close and
tension. Due to the sharp angle the skin takes at the gunwales, and to a less
extent the chines, there is little that lacing or a zipper will do other than
tensioning the deck a little. I'm refering to a simple folding skin that
doesn't use sponsons or stretcher bars as in a Feathercraft. These components
are difficult for the homebuilder to make, and are of marginal value, at least
in my opinion.

: Sorry to harp on skin tension, it's force of habit from building SOFs.

Folding skins are never going to be as tight as heat or water shrunk sewn and
coated polyester or nylon, since once the skin is cut open at the deckridge, it
will never have the same tightness again. Many sewn skins loose tightness
while in the water anyway. I've found that PVC doesn't go slack in the water
like some sewn and coated skins.

I've also found little difference in performance between my sewn and coated
non-folder skins, and those on a folder or equal design, even though the
folder skin is less tight. The PVC skinned Sea Rover folder is virtually
equal in speed to my woodstrip LM 2-14886 Aleut design in a side to side
comparison, and as fast or faster than my non-folding SOF's of similar
dimensions while displaying equal handling characteristics. I used to feel
that skin tightness mattered, but my tests have not supported that assertion.
All SOF skins go concave in the water, making them tight, though the folder
skin will be just a bit more concave.

I'm not trying to be contoversial, just sharing my observations of both types
of skins. Your comments are certainly welcome.

Thanks,

Tom