deck canvas seam

[redsail]

I'm replacing the 20 year old deck canvas on my Atkin ketch. This job requires a seam in the canvas down the middle as I do not intend to pull the mainmast. The seam will be in several parts; Ahead of the mast boot for 2 feet to the back of the foreward hatch combing, aft of the mast boot for 3 feet to the front end of the skylight and behind the skylight for 2 feet to the front of the house.
These spots do not get too much foot traffic as they are under the boom.
What is the best way to form the canvas joint? Fold, glue, tack, sew? The 12oz canvas will have 15# roofing felt under and be painted with oil based paint, thinned well for a couple coats and then full strength. The felt comes in 36" widths. Which way should the felt seams go? Should I glue it down? I plan to tack the canvas edges with 3/4" copper tacks, buried under the trims bedded in sika. Comments please.

[ 08-31-2005, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: redsail ]

[redsail]

Maybe sika would be the wrong stuff to bed the trims. There will be lots of plugs to replace too. Is shelac the best goo for the job?

[Nicholas Carey]

The normal way is a seam someting like this:

<pre>-----------------------+
|
+-------- |
| |
| --------+
|
+---------------------------------</pre>

However, are you sure you need to seam it?

Canvas is available in wide widths &mdash; up to 120 inches. Try Seattle Fabrics at http://www.seattlefabrics.com/cotton.html

[redsail]

Yes, I need to seam the canvas because I don't want to pull the rig. The main deck is 11'6" wide.
Is that a glued seam you drew Nicholas?

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by redsail:
Yes, I need to seam the canvas because I don't want to pull the rig. The main deck is 11'6" wide.
Is that a glued seam you drew Nicholas?Stitched. Check out The Sailmaker's Apprentice for details on how to seam it by hand or machine.