Simulated canvas(?) fabric is here.

[Kudzu]

I was quite stunned when my UPS guy backed up to my door. When he backs up I know he has fabric or a really big shipment. I wasn't expecting this till next week. I am doing one last test on the samples I had and will make up my mind if it it needs to be sewn on tight of leave it loose and shrink it. It should be in the store by end of next week.

[JReed]

I look forward to seeing what you come up with in the way of technique for the new material.

[Kudzu]

The recycled fabric is not available in the store.

[FloatingBear]

Skin brother we be needin skin!

[Kudzu]

That should have read IS NOW available.

[FloatingBear]

Thanks for the clarify! Jeff how wide of a boat will that skin cover?

[FloatingBear]

I watched your video on sewing it on and gathered that the only restretch is if there is mild damage. Have you tried mild reheating to fix the dimple?

[JReed]

I was wondering the same thing about being able to reshrink if it gets a stretch spot.

[Hirilonde]

I would think that once it is painted you are done.  The heat needed to re-shrink would bubble and blister and maybe even burn the paint.

[Kudzu]

Yes you can re-shrink it. I tried  a sample in the shop.  But as Dave pointed out you could could create another problem by doing so.

 

From what I have seen I think it is just a much better idea to sew it on tight, then apply some heat to tighten it a bit more and pull out any wrinkles that developed around the stitching. 

[JReed]

Question on sewing. Can this be sown in a similar fashion as the 8oz poly in as such that you start at the cockpit and work towards the ends? When you did this in the video it allowed for a seam free bow and stern can this be done with this new stuff?

[Kudzu]

The only difference I see is that I recommend sewing it on tight instead of loose. I see no reason to change any other methods. Once again, the only reason is that this seems to stretch back out after shrinking. So sewing it on tight should prevent a problem.

 

As for the bow,  on Shad it should work fine because of the long taper on the ends.  On boats like Long Shot and Curlew with their bow shape you can't avoid sewing around the bow.

 

Keep in mind that I have not sewn a whole boat with this yet, just a small section with the sample they sent.  I haven't built a boat since I got this fabric in. I have sold several peices but I have not heard back yet.

[JReed]

That works. Guess I will find out for myself in about 8 months after my next deployment

[FloatingBear]

Hey Jeff do you have any 24" wide boats that you can stretch a piece of that around to see if it is enough???

[PAR]

I've been using a similar recycled polyester material for covering traditional decks and cabin roofs. It has the look and texture of canvas, but can be stretched to conform to compound curves, which is a very handy feature, especially on some decks or roofs. I've not tried to apply it the traditional way, with paint. I have used it with TiteBond III or epoxy. Both seem to take to it well and it's strength will make removal come repair or replacement time easier too.

[Kudzu]

Hey Jeff do you have any 24" wide boats that you can stretch a piece of that around to see if it is enough???

 

No, but just because a boat is 24" wide doesn't mean they are all the same circumference. You need to measure the boat at the front of the coaming.