I'd like to sew a 3-part spray cover for my canoe using the design offered by Cliff Jacobson in his book Canoeing Wild Rivers. In it, he says the fabric should be "4-6 oz." coated nylong. I'm not sure what that is. Coated Oxford nylon weighs about 4 oz., while coated nylon pack cloth is 7 oz. I know that Cookes Custom Sewing uses pack cloth for its covers. Would oxford nylon be too light?

I made mine last year using HyperD 300 from ripstopbytheroll. It’s a diamond grid ripstop nylon with polyurethane coating. I think it’s a ~4oz fabric. I thought it worked very well. With any nylon, though: it’s tight as a drum when dry but does tend to stretch and wrinkle a bit when wet.

Edit: I guess I used 2.2oz. Mine was meant to be lightweight, so 4-6oz fabric would be a good durable cover. I just made a bow end spray deck, but it was for a custom canoe. Photos of my build here.

I have been thinking of making one for my solo too. I like the idea of a skirt that won't stretch and pool when it gets wet. sur last Is the fabric I am looking at. It's listed at 7 oz. I still haven't come up with a plan for a coaming to shed the water away as it runs to the center towards the seat.

Not to hijack, but... Holy guacamole muddyfeet, that is a cool boat!

Does it struggle lots sooner than a more traditional tripping solo in terms of handling rough water, wind?

Muddy. Where did you get the foot braces and how are they attached ? I'm interested in something like this for my next solo.

Bill

I agree: that's one amazing boat.
Thanks for the referral to ripstopbytheroll. I've got my eye on this fabric: 210D ROBIC Ripstop Nylon. It's a heavier ripstop nylon that weighs 4.4 oz./yd. I may use something lighter at the stern, where Cliff says the cover functions mainly as a rain cover and where a lighter fabric might be used.

sns: "Not to hijack, but... Holy guacamole muddyfeet, that is a cool boat!

+1

So much awesomeness in that boat. Very impressive Muddyfeet!

Thanks.
Rudder is sea-lect designs tru course.
Ripstop is great: Kyle has taken care of me since they started as just a group buy site. They have really expanded their product lines. Also worthwhile to look through what Dutchware has.

Lots of enthusiasts making cool stuff here in the DIY gear forum.