Subject: Re: [baidarka] Follow up: Kayak building Questions / Ideas
From: brian.nystrom@att.net
Date: Fri Oct 26 2001 - 14:19:07 EDT
> Hi everyone,
> Two other questions remain: skin finish and seats.
>
> The polyester cloth seems to be bombproof, but somewhat rough.
Actually, the 13 ounce polyester is smoother than many types of Nylon. I've got plenty of scrap if you want some to play with.
> What is the preferred coating to give it a smoother surface to the water?
As with painting any textured surface, the more finish you apply, the smoother it gets. The application method makes a big difference as well. For example, three thin coats of urethane left the skin on my boat incompletely filled. A single addtional coat with a brush is enough to fill it in completely. It really all depends on how smooth you want to get it. I'm not convinced that having an extemely smooth skin has any significant benefits.
> And can the coating be colored?
There are dyes that can be added to varnish, if you desire. Hypalon and Neoprene come in several colors.
> Gray seems like a poor choice to be easily see. (yes, I
> know, yellow is not traditional)
There's the rub. Do you go with a traditional color (brown, grey, black) merely for the sake of traditiona traditional look from a distance? Do you go with natural white for the cool translucent effect and ease of finishing? Do you paint it red, yellow, orange or whatever to make it visible? I guess it's strictly a matter of philosophy what look you want. If the frame is made of metal tubing and the skin is a synthetic fabric, what's the point is trying to get a tradional look?
> Mark mentioned a Feathercraft seat today, but I don't see it listed on their web
> site. Any other homemade ideas that seem to work well?
I haven't made one yet, but I'm planning on trying a seat made from the same polyester fabric as the skin, stretched across a wood frame that's lashed to the ribs. It may be feasible to incorporate the back support into it. I can't do this in my current boat due to the rib placement, but I will in the next boat.
-- RegardsBrian - Baidarka Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside Baidarka or Baidarka archives without author's permission Submissions: baidarka@paddlewise.net Subscriptions: baidarka-request@paddlewise.net Searchable archive: http://rtpnet.org/robroy/baidarka
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b27 : Thu Nov 01 2001 - 01:30:04 EST