: I learned a good bit from this thread. I had pretty much ruled out canvas as
: I paddle strictly fresh water, so rot is a big issue. Sounds like
: polyester has an edge but I have more research to do for sure.

Kayak frames are far more durable than the skins which cover them. It is common to put several skins on a kayak during the working life of the frame. Think of reskinning as a routine maintenance situation, and figure on WHEN you will reskin the boat. Nylon and polyester cost a bit more and last a bit longer, but they still wear out. Nylon tents are much more prone to UV damage over the years than canvas tents, so I assume you'll see similar wearing patterns with nylon vs canvas hull fabrics--if left exposed to daylight.

Rot in canvas is usually a mold or mildew-related issue. there are plenty of good, inexpensive methods to protect canvas from this. Mildew preventatives which can be added to paints are available at most paint stores. A weak solution of borax (available in the laundry products section of most grocery stores) can be sloshed inside a kayak for a cost of pennies per treatment. It kills meildew and enough remains behind to continue the protection. They use it for soaking baby diapers, so it is pretty safe.

A lot of paints work on canvas, so your coatings may be cheaper than with nylon or polyester. patching is as simple as gluing a piece of fabric over a tear, and repainting the spot. Some people use rubber cement or contact cement for the repair. Very fast and water proof.

If a canvas skin--fabric, and coating-- prices out at 75% of a nylon or polyester one, then your costs over the years will be about the same-- but you'll need to put on 4 canvas skins to 3 synthetic ones in those 20 to 30 years.

The decks of Klepper kayaks are made form a canvas woven from hemp. (not cotton) and they expect the life of those skins to be 25 years or more. Natural fibers can be quite long-lived.

The heaviest gauge clear vinyl material sold by Wal-Mart is about $3.50 a running yard. That is around $20 to $22 for a typical hull. Make the deck from two pieces seamed by the cockpit and youare in the $30 to $35 range--maybe less if you can cut the hull in such a way that you leave very large scraps for the deck. With a new frame the clear skin looks awesome. You don;t have to seal it, paint it, or sand it. Just staple it on with Monel or stainless steel staples, and go paddle it. It should last a year or two. If it rips, patch it with a vinyl patch. They make clear ones for fixing swimming pools. When it wears out, put on another clear skin, or go for one of the more expensive options.

Big advantage to using the truck tarp material Yost uses (Coverlite and similar brands) is that you don't need to paint it. The color and UV resistance are already there. Faster to work with, and some savings in cost.

Hope this helps

PGJ