: Hi All,
: I'm entering in a 20km kayak race but we have to build the 'kayak' with
: things we have lying about at home or friends' homes. I can get my hands
: on some tyvek. Now I wonder if anyone has any experience in skinning a SOF
: with Tyvek. What would its permeability be over 20 km. Would it have to be
: made impermeable? How? How puncture resistant would it be? Anyone?
: JohnK

Hi John,

I tested my Sof with Tyvek. I was out for about 1/2 hr+ and didn't have any leaks. Tyvek is pretty tough stuff. I made a single piece for the hull and stapled it to the top of the gunwales, I had to put several folds or darts in it to make it conform to the shape of the hull, Tyvek has no stretch at all. Another piece for the top stapled to the side of the gunwales. You could use one piece and go all the way around and just have one seam though. I used Tyvek tape (I highly recommend it) to seal all the seams and to smooth down the darts. As it was just a test I didn't have the coaming on, but I imagine you could put one on without too much trouble.

Bill S