I just purchased a new canoe from Wenonah with wood gunwales that will be delivered later this summer. Their owner's manual makes it clear that the factory-applied oil finish is only adequate to protect the gunwales during transit. The onus is on the owner to apply additional oil or varnish to complete the process prior to using the canoe.

I have oiled wood paddles that I've re-oiled, so I'm familiar with the process and would like to oil the gunwales. The manual recommends three additional coats of oil. I need to make a guesstimate on the quantity of oil to purchase. Anyone out there who has done this in the past have an idea of what the right quantity is?

I have two boats with wood trim and oiled paddles and I’m still on the same quart of boiled linseed oil that I bought many years ago.

I oil my wood trim each year with the following:

Canoe Oil
1 part boiled linseed oil
1 part gloss varnish
1 part mineral spirits/turpentine

I use Watco clear exterior oil. Two to three times a season. I bought a quart years ago and it's only about half gone.

jhb8426: "I use Watco clear exterior oil. Two to three times a season. I bought a quart years ago and it's only about half gone."

+1

jhb8426: "I use Watco clear exterior oil. Two to three times a season. I bought a quart years ago and it's only about half gone."

+1. Make sure you blue tape the inside and outside of the gunwales if you plan on doing a light sanding. I use 320 grit to knock down any nicks or swelling and then oil it down. Don't over-oil each coat or it gets super tacky. Go lightly and do several coats if necessary. Less is more. You'll do great. Good luck and enjoy the process!

jhb8426: "I use Watco clear exterior oil. Two to three times a season. I bought a quart years ago and it's only about half gone."

I too have used Watco products. Like JB I have used their Exterior Finish and I have also used their Teak Oil Finish. Both work well. Years ago I got a very good deal on an Oldtown Canadieen hull that had not been fitted out. I used ash for the gunwales and carrying yoke, walnut for the seats and thwarts and mohogany for the decks and bulkheads. I used the Teak Oil on all of that, and as other have mentioned, gave it all 3 or 4 coats every year. Here are a couple of images. I did the original outfitting in 1982 and these pictures were take in 2012. You can see that the wood in in like new condition.

No matter what you choose to use a 1/2 pint will easily handle three coats plus touch-ups for a year or two.

I've used all the treatments list except pure boiled linseed and the Gunnel Lotion that one dealer used to sell (and I used for years) was 1/3 boiled linseed, 1/3 mineral spirits and 1/3 distilled white vinegar. All work well.

Some manufacturers use Watco too. It's the most durable and the most toxic and takes the longest to fully dry out.

I use Badger Oil from Badger Paddles. It gives a beautiful oil finish and is 100% non-toxic so no worries about using the boat immediately after oiling.

https://ashesstillwaterboats.com/making-a-canoe-paddle/applying-a-finish/
Great resource for new or old wood finishing

I use a lot of Watco on my wood boats. I add 20% spar varnish to the oil. It makes a harder more durable finish. Oil-based Watco and oil-based varnish are compatible with each other.
Tom