Skinning the Greenland Kayak! Part 2

After the Kayak frame was all done, it was time to cover the entire kayak in fabric. If you didn't see the process of the frame being built, you can read about it HERE. 

The people of the Artic traditionally skinned their boats in seal skins, but as we are not able to hunt for seals, now skin-on-frame boats are usually skinned with some sort of fabric, then coated with a waterproof sealer.  

For this kayak Tristan used a ballistic nylon fabric commonly used for airplanes and Skin-on-Frame boats. First the fabric is tacked along the bottom gunwale with thumbtacks so it doesn't move, and then the fabric is stretched over the frame. 

The fabric is tightened with a long running stitch, and then sewed together along the entire top in a rolled-over seam. 

Temporarily marking the center line of the kayak with a board so the fabric can be cut to size. 

Starting to stitch the rolled-over seam along the center of the fabric

Note: the zig-zag stitch was used to pull the fabric very tight. 

The fabric is semi-transparent, as Tristan chose not to dye the fabric

Drum tight skin over the Kayak!

The kayak is looking more like a sea-worthy vessel, but it still won't float! The combing needs to be made, and the entire kayak coated to make it waterproof! That is the next step in the build process and you can read about it HERE!