Subject: Re: [baidarka] PVC skins
From: Tom Yost (tom_yost@msn.com)
Date: Thu May 01 2003 - 13:47:36 EDT
> Hi Tom Yost:
> I've recently seen a number of posts that imply that PVC coated polyester
> cloth is not an uncommon skin product used by kayak builders. How recent
> has it been that people started using this product. My reason for asking
is
> that I skinned my second Putz type kayak with PVC skin back in 1997 some
> time before I became a lurker on this list. It was in late 1997 when I
> began discussing the how to's with one Stephano Moretti. Is your use of
> this product based on these discussions or did we both independently
arrive
> at a similar solution?
> Best Regards
> Bram
Hi Bram,
PVC has been used on numerous commercial folding kayaks for many years.
Pouch and Atlatl come to mind, as does Folbot a number of
years ago. Hendrik and Gerald Maroske of Germany have been using "Stamoid"
PVC for several years, before 1997 I believe. I've read of it's use by
homebuilders, mostly on folders, many years earlier.
My interest in the material stems from my association with Hendrik Maroske.
I had many conversations sometime back with Stefano, but don't believe he
completed a kayak skin using PVC, though he did show some interest in the
material.
Hendrik and Gerald cut their skins in "chine" panels that are sewn and then
covered with glued on rub strips. This results is a very clean looking
skin. My approach is much simpler as I glue the one piece hull to the one
piece deck at the gunwales.
My "Coverlight" PVC skins, as a result, are not a smooth looking in certain
areas of the hull. But for me, the simplicity, ease of construction, and
durability of this method is a fair trade-off. What method did you use ?
Though PVC skins have been around a long time, it's use by homebuilders seems
quite
limited in comparison to the sewn and coated canvas, nylon, and polyester
skins so common in traditional SOF construction.
Best,
Tom
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