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elephant skin (saggy canvas)
By:Geoff Davis
Date: 8/15/1998, 11:41 am

I am constructing my 4th wood and canvas kayak. This project is an 18 1/2 ft double based on Norman Skene's 1923 Walrus.

I've never run into this problem before...but I'm sure that it isn't unique. I stretched the skin onto the frame 2 days ago. I was very pleased with the results. Yesterday I killed the weave with 2 coats of oil based paint and talcum powder. Last night it was still tight and the paint was fairly hard. We had a heavy dew and now my 'yak sports an "elephant skin". I am sure (I think) that the humidity allowed the skin to stretch and suspect that it will shrink (somewhat) when and if the humidity drops. What can I do to correct this (I suspect nothing). What can I do to avoid this in the future? Apply canvas damp? Only canvas on foggy days?

Thanks...I'm about ready to break her up for matchsticks!

Messages In This Thread

elephant skin (saggy canvas)
Geoff Davis -- 8/15/1998, 11:41 am
Re: elephant skin (saggy canvas)
Paul A. Lambert -- 8/16/1998, 6:28 am
Re: elephant skin (saggy canvas)
Tom Simpson -- 8/16/1998, 1:13 pm
Re: elephant skin (saggy canvas)
Paul A. Lambert -- 8/16/1998, 1:48 pm
Re: saggy canvas, shims, driers and pliers
PJacobson -- 8/15/1998, 9:57 pm