> Thanks for the info, guys, though now I am thoroughly conflicted. These
> are the kinds of decisions that drive me nuts: I don't know enough to make
> a good decision but I do know just enough to never think I've made the
> right choice. There is an upside though--build more boats and try out the
> different options! Hmm, and then there's plywood, too: So many boats, so
> little time! Thanks again. Tom

Tom,

That was the hardest part about building it. My wife thought I was going crazy, agonizing over it for so long. Here is a link to a page where someone did some testing of different skins and coatings. I did some tests of coatings for canvas and so for the Elast-o-Seal Snow-Roof comination has been the best. Varnish looked cool and felt tough, but tore very easily. The canvas is adequate, but thinned Elast-o-Seal would not penetrate it, the fibers swell as soon as they get wet, so only one side gets coated. This could be good though because if you do scrape the finish off, the raw canvas is basically watertight.

I really like the looks of the skin in the picture it is 8oz nylon skin with 4 coats of GACO UA-7000 2 part urethane.

Hope this helps, Mike

http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/Building/FlexibleBaidarka/right.htm#chap5