: I just put the canvas skin on my kayak. I wetted it down and it
: really seemed to tighten up, but when it dried it got looser. Is
: this normal? today I decided to coat the whole thing with Spar
: Varnish, I really wanted to show the stitching off. Again the
: canvas seems to be loose even though before I started it was
: drum head tight. Will this stiffen up?

Congrats on skinning your boat! Canvas is my least fav fabric to work with - too much blood.

I experienced similar results after soaking and drying my freshly skinned canvas covered hull - the formerly tight and stiff canvas got softer and seemed to loosen. But, never fear, canvas basically only shrinks more and more with repeated wetting - even after you've coated it. So, yes, it should (eventually) stiffen up.

Pics?

Good luck!
Dave Gentry