HOW TO INSTALL Wood Gunwales STORY AND PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MECHAN T SUPPLIES


OOLS Variable speed drill


The lakes and rivers where I’m from froze up back in December. That means no canoeing until spring. Paddles got tucked away in my gear closet and boats got stored in the rafters, garage and basement. This year, instead of putting my canoe away for the winter, I decided to give it new gunwales.


Synthetic trim may be practical—vinyl is durable and aluminum is lightweight—but in my opinion, nothing matches the warmth of wood. Even on my ultralight Kevlar boat, the classic look of traditional, natural wooden gunwales are worth the effort. Here’s my approach to installing new wood gunwales on a composite canoe.


DIGITAL EXTRA: To see an expanded photo guide to installing wood gunwales, go to www.canoerootsmag.com/0042 or download the Canoeroots app.


58 SPRING 2013


11/64” tapered drill bit Various straight drill bits #8 countersink Screwdriver bits Manual screwdrivers 4 spring clamps 6 to 10 C or bar clamps Tape measure 7/16” wrench Grease pencil Pencil


100-, 120- and 220-grit sandpaper Dovetail or Japanese handsaw Rubber mallet


FASTENERS


50 to 100 #8 1 1/4” stainless steel screws 10 #8 2” stainless steel screws


Stainless steel bolts, each with a cup washer, flat washer and locknut (four per seat, two per thwart and four for the yoke)


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