: Mike and Dave,

: I've read your article (Mike) as well as all information I can get
: my eyes on. I've emailed George Dyson. Now I just want hear
: other people's opinions and experiences before making a final
: decision on skin and coating. As a first time builder (and as my
: husband would attest to a little obsessive) I want to be sure
: I've explored all the avenues. :^)

: Rosanna
Well, I've also skinned with nylons, canvas, clear vinyl and Coverlite PVC. The vinyls are good in that there's no sewing, and no need to coat the skin once it's on. The canvas (#10 duck) was very hard to sew and didn't seem all that tough to me. It certainly accepts most coatings, easily, though, and shrinks rather than loosens when it gets cold and wet.
The nylons I've used are very tough - esp. the 12oz, and I am generally happy with them. One boat wrinkled when wet, the other didn't - I may have stretched the fabric tighter when I skinned that one. The wrinkling was not really a big deal, I suppose.

I haven't used that many coating systems, but I understand that Coelan, while expensive, is by far the most flexible and likely best for nylon.

Good luck!
Dave