Geodesic Airolite designs were skinned with heat shrink material because the developer of that technology was familiar with homebuilt untralight aircraft where heatshrink surfaces are the order of the day. Those GA boats were mainly designed to be exremely light and nothing will make them as tough as traditional skinboats boats covered with the appropriate weight of polyester or nylon.

: As I am sure several of you know I have become fascinated with SOF boats. I
: am going to forgo finishing my other S&G and build a SOF soon. Have to
: finish the Cherry TV console first.

: I have read what I can find on skinning materials and I am still undecided
: what I would like to skin my boat in. I like the idea (at least it sounds
: good to me) of heat shrink materials, nice smooth skin is appealing. But I
: don't see it used much in Kayaks. I see other prefer polyesters saying it
: stretches better. I just read about Ceconite. The more I read the less
: idea I have about what to use.

: I am past the stage of worrying about durability. I guess everyone has to
: that fear. Abrasion is more of an issue than anything for me but some run
: strips should fix that.

: I was hoping to get some input on what you have used. What you liked, didn't
: like etc. I think it would good info for us first timers to SOF boats.