Sewing your skin on frame kayak

Best viewed with fire fox

 
STEP 1: CENTER CREASE YOUR CLOTHstep1_center_crease_2.html
STEP 3: STRETCHING AND SEWING THE STERNstretching_and_sewing_stern_2.html
STEP 4: CUTTING EXCESS CLOTHhome.html
STEP 5: STRETCHING WHILE SEWING THE CENTER SEAMstretching_while_sewing_center_seam_2.html
STEP 7: CUTTING FOR FLAT SEAMstep_7_cutting_for_flat_seam_2.html
STEP 8: FINNISH DECK SEAM WITH FLAT SEAM BLIND STITCH flat_seam_.htmlflat_seam__2.htmlshapeimage_6_link_0
STEP 10: INSTALLING COCKPIT COAMINGinstaling_cockpit.htmlinstaling_cockpit_2.htmlshapeimage_7_link_0

  1. • 2 yards  of cord (single strand with a knot at end)

  2. • pinch cloth where it leaves the kneel

  3. • sew along outline of wood (1/2” stitches)

  4. • stop where you can slide off sewn sock one time

  5. • back tack last stitch take needle and clamp to stern

click on the images for the quick time instruction videos

  1. •Unfold cloth over boat

  2. •fold in half in long direction

  3. •hold tension against your partner

  4. •crease center fold

  1. • let boat lean towards port side

  2. • let port side of cloth fall out of way

  3. • lay starboard side over port

  4. • start cutting at cockpit (leaving all extra cloth at cockpit)

  5. • cut cloth 3-5 in away from deck stringer

  6. • repeat in stern

  7. • lean kayak on starboard

  8. • repeat process

  1. • take slack out to stern

  2. • put small pencil mark about 4” in from end

  3. • slip off bow sock and slide cloth to pencil mark

  4. • make new running stitch down about 3” and back tack

  5. • slip off stern and return sock to bow

  6. • stretch cloth over stern

  7. • finnish running stitch around stern piece

  1. • 10’ cord  (single strand with a knot at one end)

  2. • clamp tightened rolled ends together

  3. • sew from 6” inside cockpit to bow

  4. • sew along starboard edge of deck stringer    

  5. • stop 14”- 18” from bow tip (baidarka)

  6. • stand on other side of kayak

  7. • repeat in stern

  1. • re-thread existing cord on bow

  2. • pinch together and sew around outline of bow

  3. • sew until you connect to your deck stitching

  4. • meet the deck sewing

  5. • connect with a square knot on port side

Special thanks to James Alexander of Portland OR, for his participation and filming his Baidarka  (workshop winter 08)

  1. •trim cloth around bow and stern at 3/8”- 7/16”

  2. •12’ of cord (bow) , straight needle, no knot

  3. • whip stitch 5/8 apart starting from kneel on port

  4. • return with same cord and same holes port side

  5. • repeat same process on stern for balance

  6. • can cross stitch entire kayak if you choose

BAIDARKA METHOD

GREENLAND METHOD

  1. • split into 2 pieces

  2. • hot cut the port side at 3/8”

  3. • hot cut the starboard side at 3/4

  1. • 9’ sewing cord on a 4” curved needle

  2. • fold longer starboard over smaller port

  3. • 5/8” stitch through fold

  4. • 5/8” stitch in boat parallel to fold

  1. • over tension in cockpit coaming with strap

  2. • center combing

  3. • adjust tilt and spin to center

  4. • cut cloth flush to top of coaming

  5. • drill extra holes on front sharp radius  (if needed)

  6. • fold cut edge under and make crease flush with holes

  7. • clamp new creased edge completely around cockpit

  8. • 18’ cord, hide knot between cloth and wood

  9. • sew in and out around cockpit

  10. • go around a second time to fill in opposite spaces        (if you have a odd amount of holes you will continue same direction, even number then change sewing direction)

This tutorial is being tested. please send comments to: skinboat@mac.com