Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 01:39:16 -0400
From: Russell <russel79@alliance.net>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: Hull Seams
Rick_Rubio@pci-main.ccmail.compuserve.com wrote:
>
> >I'm FINISHED with the frame....finally....what kind of seams/stitches
> >have you boat builders used on the baidarka skin???? Wolfgang
> >Brinck's book shows a "flat felt seam" for the top (bow and stern
> >deck stringer)...that's a good strong seam but it doesn't look very
> >nice...anyone done something other than that???....Bruce Lemon uses a
> >butt seam with cross stitch on his boats but that's with nylon,
> >though I don't know if that makes a difference...I've thought about
> >using the flat felt seam and then convering the seam with a strip of
> >the hull material...I STILL haven't decided on the material to use
> >yet...I like the characteristics of hemp fabric (what I've recently
> >learned) but the samples I've gotten so far seem to have a looser
> >weave than cotton duck...the denim twill sample has a tight weave but
> >it's got quite a weave to kill...has anyone out there used hemp for a
> >skin covering???Russell
>
> Congratulations! A first-class frame deserves a first-class skin. My
> vote is for nylon and Hypalon, butt seamed with cross stitching using
> two needles. The seam looks nice, and the Hypalon does an excellent
> job of sealing the stitching. I used 11 ounce twill weave nylon,
> shrunk by spritzing with water. A 1-1/2 inch wide nylon keel strip
> wraps up the stem and covers the stitching. Don't think about it too
> much-- get that boat covered and in the water. Do take your time and
> double-check, triple-check the frame alignment before covering it, or
> your boat will forever pull to one side, reminding you that you forgot
> to do this crucial step! Oh well, in about ten years when the skin
> (or my right arm) finally wears out, I will straighten the frame.
>
> Rick Rubio
> Orange, CA
Rick....thanks for sending the reply to my query...I appreciate
that....I've read a little on the list here about nylon "stretching"
when the boat hits the water and that's made me a little afraid to use
nylon as the skin....have you had any difficulty in this regard....do
you have any recommendations or tips in technique for sewing the skin on
the frame...I've ALMOST decided on hemp fabric for the skin....I've done
a little research (very little) and hemp seems to almost be ideal for a
skin...what material did you use as the "thread" for the sewing....did
you use a butt seam and cross stitch on the bow area as well as on the
deck stringers...ANY tips would be greatly appreciated....Russell