I am planning to purchase a new solo canoe and I'm debating about purchasing one with wood gunwales just because I think fondly to the wood in the canoe I learned to paddle in. However I do not have any place indoors to store the canoe and I do not want to replace trim down the road. My dad has a wood trim canoe that has been around 25 years but the gunwales have been replaced twice. Of course his sat exposed to the elements and he was not exactly diligent about maintenance. Whatever I purchase will be hoisted up to the underside of a covered deck so it should not get any light from the sun or rained on. Does anyone store their canoe with wood trim like this? If I keep it oiled will the wood last me a lifetime or am I fighting a little bit of a losing battle to humidity? If it matters I am located in TN so it is a warm and humid climate. Thanks for the input!

Keeping the boat off of the ground is probably the key here. Also doing annual maintenance helps as well as keeping it covered. The deck should work unless it drips a lot of water on the boat, in which case I would cover it with a tarp.

favresa: "Whatever I purchase will be hoisted up to the underside of a covered deck so it should not get any light from the sun or rained on. Does anyone store their canoe with wood trim like this?"

I do. The oldest boat in my fleet, Curtis Nomad was manufactured circa 1987 and I'm her owner for the last 10 years - no signs of gunnels damage (FWIW I live in NJ).

You just need to keep the gunwales dry when in storage. A tarp with something that allows air between the canoe and tarp will do.
Tom

The responses solidify my decision. Since it will be completely covered and dry I am going with the wood trim. I appreciate everyone's help.

If I may editorialize. Wood gunwales and if possible, wood decks are so beautiful on a canoe. They soften and warm the appearance of the craft with very little, if any weight gain.

the next step is to go with a wood hull. :)

Tom