Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

[sp_clark]

Have the urge to build one, never done SoF before.

What's out there for suitable fabrics and where would I start looking to source what I may need once the time comes?

[pez_leon]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

I very much enjoyed buying from George Dyson. He had a document describing a great many fabrics, all available, and provided me with a specific recommendation for mine. Shoot him an email: gdysonatgmaildotcom

I would also very much recommend reading The Starship and the Canoe.

- James

[sp_clark]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

Thanks for that pez_leon, I thought the name Dyson was familiar!

I read The Starship and the Canoe a couple of years ago, don't recall what led me to locate a copy, but the same George D. is its author? Never occurred to me!

[SKIP KILPATRICK]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

I have bought fabric for a couple of boats from Kudzu Craft. Really nice guy. He sometimes posts on the forum.

https://www.kudzucraft.com/web/shop

[hawkeye54]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

Skip, I clicked on that link, and there is a note that Jeff is experiencing difficulty sourcing fabric. ( Just an FYI )




Rick

[Greg Nolan]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

Geodesic Aerolite Boats -- they carry two weights of Dacron, at good prices, and some other related supplies.

http://gaboats.com/order/

http://gaboats.com

[Woxbox]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

The above sources are good to go to, plus the Skinboat Store.
This outfit also has a related site , The Skinboat School, with lots of good info on building and finishing techniques.

I've used dacron, polyester and nylon to skin boats, and would stick with nylon if I did another unless I really needed a superlight boat. The nylon is much tougher.

[sp_clark]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

Outstanding responses to my request! Thank you all!!

[cbcc]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

Cape Falcon Kayaks. Outstanding website.

[sp_clark]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

OK so it seems there's several sources for fabric, thanks to your suggestions.

Now I'm finding it's prohibitively expensive to source a single sheet of 1/2" okoume ply where I live now.

Back in 1990 I bought 6 sheets of 5mm 5-ply, had it shipped from MD to Illinois for a total of $240.

Maybe shipping was COD? It's isn't on the invoice. In that was what, 33 years ago? I can't recall that detail.

Today I got two quotes for one sheet of 12mm /1/2", $150 retail, from both sources. Delivered takes $740 freight charge ($690 if I have it delivered to a dock address), or $290 to cover packaging and shipping: $890/$840 vs. $440.

That's for ONE sheet @ $150 retail.

I still have at least two of those 5mm sheets from wayback, I could epoxy frame 'rough-cuts' together before cutting to pattern.

OR I could laminate suitable frame stock to shape from solid wood (white oak's fairly common where I am, or white ash I have an 8/4 plank of even older than those 5mm sheets) then finish the frames as I would have if they were cut from 12mm ply.

All things considered I'd prefer the latter route, letting me keep the 5mm sheets for 'another day' or maybe sell off to a worthy builder somewhere nearby.

Anyone offer up any contrary thoughts? Why these alternate paths wouldn't be as practical as following the design plans more closely?

I'm 74, I have time enough to provide the labor.

[Dusty Yevsky]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

What type of craft are you building? I'd check with the designer before substituting dimension lumber for plywood. The designer may be relying on the more or less isotropic properties of ply to give strength where needed. Also, I'd slap the 2 5mm sheets together if the designer approves of the diminished thickness. Lastly, do you know the dimensions of the pieces to be cut from the ply? If appropriate, you could probably get 4 2x4 sheets of 12mm shipped for a lot less than a whole sheet.

[Rumars]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

You got epoxy and wood, you can laminate your own frames as you wish. Plywood is just a convenience product, not a necessity,

[sp_clark]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

Dusty, thanks. I've contacted designer, awaiting his reply. Design's Dave Gentry's Shenandoah Whitehall tender.

Thanks too Rumars, your comment parallels my thinking. As long as the laminated members are of similar dimensions - allowing for stringer and chine notches - strength and stiffness should be fine, maybe better than ply.

Others' comments still welcome, other suggestions about the substitution. I learn things here from what you contribute.

[Rumars]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

I don't know what you plan to build, so can't comment on specifics. There are SoF boats with frames made from solid wood, the individual pieces (futtocks) usually beeing tenonned into each other, with or without additional knees (wich can be wood or metal plates).
There are also boats with laminated frames, not plywood like but forming a ringframe. They are very strong and offer more space inside if that's a concern, but are more difficult to make (you need a properly beveled mold).
Lastly, you can mimic plywood with fever layers and better orientation, think of the frames as triple sawn big boat frames.
The usual SoF framing material over here is ash, and if plywood is used for the frames it's birch.

[sp_clark]

Re: Sources for Skin-on-Frame Fabric?

Ash I have already. It's old, kiln-dried, dates back to about 40 years ago when I was going to build a couch. Full 8/4, about 16" wide, close to 9' long. Should be ample enough (if I'm careful with the bandsaw)! Birch ply's become virtually non-existant here owing to the invasion of Ukraine and embargoes in place.

Looking at photos on Dave Gentry's website gallery I'm thinking solid wood on outer edges of frames where notches will get cut and edges are concave so skin doesn't make contact, then laminate up dimension to insides for stiffness as needed, in line with your "fewer layers and better orientation" comment. Concave faces can be radiused-edged before assembly.

Wonder if this one:

TYeadon's_Whitehall?.jpg

- might be our Yeadon? He's right, of course!