OK, cool. I used to build R/C airplanes, up to as big as 10' span, and have used "silkspan" covering. It can be "doped" with urethane or even acrylic "fake varnish", or of course with butyrate dope. I'm assuming yer stuff is pretty similar, though heavier, maybe about like they use on Piper Cubs???Grizz wrote:I misplaced the invoice so I might not have the weight exactly correct.adirondakjack wrote:Grizz, what are ya using for skin? Reason I ask is I wanna build a light, waterproof shell for my motorcycle trailer so I can hauls stuff and keep it dry. Yer 'yak project gave me an idea.....
I got 8.5 oz polyester woven fabric from a kayak builder/supplier. It's heat shrinkable. And I will use helmsman polyurethane to coat it.
You can also use aircraft fabric and dope. I don't know if aircraft dope is compatable with this type of cloth. You can also get lighter and heavier cloth. I got a compromise between weight and durability. A search will bring lots of suppliers for aircraft and boats.
I like your trailer idea. Lots of kayaks are built with aluminum tubing for the frames. I will eventually build some that way. You would need a ftamework that will withstand the shrinking of the cloth. On kayaks it gets drum tight and it's very tough. Don't know if it has to be that tight, but it would be more aerodynamic. Hope this helps.
Grizz
I'm actually thinking of a hinged 'clamshell" that opens from the side, but when closed, would be shaped about like the front half of a 'yak, with the other half on top, so ya end up with a pointy, covered nose and a flat(er) back end. (when not used in that mode, the top could be taken off, so I could use it as an open bed, with the ability to still tote my yak on top) It would end up covered and doped if I use the 'yak model, rather than a hard (heavy) shell. I'll likely make a basic "cage" of aluminum, and use ribs of stressed wood, probably steamed and bent to create some "set" rather than simply hauling em around the frame. The bugaboo until now was the shell. It needs to be fairly light, weatherproof, and not cost a fortune, Har!