Re: [Paddlewise] Use of Goretex in Sprayskirt

From: Bill Chitty <gwchitty_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2002 21:34:52 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: "PJ Rattenbury"
Subject: [Paddlewise] Use of Goretex in Sprayskirt

> Hi All,  Has anyone experience of use of the above?  I need a new skirt...
> ...Cheers


Ok, I had similar questions.  My solution was to make a Gore-tex skirt to
custom fit my boat.  The total cost was something like $20 (buying an
overstock scrub-green color material from the internet).  I used Shawn
Bakers easy method of constructing it from his geocities website.

 My intention was to buy the bomb-proof neoprene skirt for rough conditions
and use the Gore-tex for average and mild conditions.  I still think this is
the best approach after using the Gore-tex.

This project took a few evenings of work and the results were really good
even though I can't sew worth a damn.  The custom fit is tight as a drum
without sagging and puddling, just like a good fitting neoprene skirt.  This
is the key aspect for me,  the custom made skirt fits precisely like a drum
so there is no sagging.  Unlike the store-bought nylon skirts designed to
fit a range of cockpit sizes.

 One problem with Gore-tex is that you have to keep it from "wetting out"
where it finally gets soaked and can't breathe like it should.  This is the
problem that salt water is supposed to cause.

A bonus is the left over material for a Gore-tex cockpit cover.  I can keep
the night-time critters out of my boat at my campsite while letting the
moisture out at the same time.

If you try making one, use the heaviest three-layer material you can get and
consider using the generic  Gore-tex  competitors like your jacket.

Bill
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Received on Tue Sep 10 2002 - 05:56:43 PDT

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