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Hi Ben,
Cutting tape from regular weave cloth is a heck of a job - the looseness of the weave (required for proper draping) will allow the tape to unravel.
I am not overly fond of the tape that I have been able to get locally (Ottawa, Ontario), it is expensive ($45 to $90 for a 50 yard roll of 3" wide 6 oz - shop around!!!), it is thick and one edge has a ridge. I only use the commercial 3", 6 oz tape on the outside of the keel.
I have been making my own tape by cutting VERY tight weave 3 oz cloth at a diagonal - crossing the weaves at about a 30 degree angle. I lay the cloth down over the edge of my work bench leaving the width of the "tape" hanging out, put a board on top (also aligned with the edge of the bench), stretch the cloth tight and weight the board. I cut the cloth by holding some tension on it and running a filleting knife down the edge of the board/bench. The knife edge has to be touched up often.
I stretch the cut tapes before using them. I use two or more layers of the strips because the of the light weight of the cloth.
Don't handle the cloth or tape with bare hands. I have a couple of pairs of clean cotton gloves that are used only for handling the fiberglass cloth.
Hope this helps.
Hank
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Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
