I need some help locating gunnel stock.

It would be nice to find Sitka spruce. I will settle for white ash. I would like 16 foot, clear, and without scarf joints for both the inwales and outwales.

Willing to drive 400 or so miles from Brookings to fetch. Anybody got an idea?

You'd have to ship it, but aircraftspruce will have the sitka spruce you're looking for.

Why no scarf joint? I've used scarf joints on about 6 gunwale jobs and they are every bit as strong as a solid piece. If you're careful to match up the wood well you'd be hard pressed to find the seam.

I found clear ash stripes at a local lumber yard. You also can try the local cabinent shops. I found a 18' 1"x6" and cut down. Cost $42

I ended up using maple instead of ash. About the same color and hardness as ash and much easier to find at the MenaLowDepot.

JD

GPS is right about cabinet shops. I got 4, full length, brown ash gunnels for $20. They had "scrap" left from ripping stock they were hanging onto. When I told them what I wanted it for, they ripped them to width for me - no charge. They were happy to get the $20 for wood that was of no use to them.

I called NW Canoe today and talked to Dennis. They have a full length ash gunwale-roundover (like that used on MadRiver). A drive over to the Cities in spring will be good (about 250 miles from Brookings). Right now, this is a "bird-in-the-hand", but I will keep looking for other options.

MWD Q: why no scarf? HPD Ans: I don't have a logical reason. After this canoe (and this experience), I might change.

NW Canoe ash-gunwale

HPD
You might find someone coming from the cities that could do a "gunwale drop" for you saving you some time and cash(maybe something for their effort). I don't get out that way but someone else may from time to time. Worth a shot to ask around the board.
CB

$160 for gunnels is plenty high, I made mine with router, skilsaw, finish saw in less than a day. easy to make the kerf edge also.

I hear ya GSP........ the price was a bit subtle $40 ea and it takes 4 pieces......... 4 X $40 = lots of money.

I think I need to do my own......... creates ownership and pride. I like that. BUT, I still need to find a hunk of ash

I got the stock for mine at Root River Hardwoods in Albert Lea, MN. Call first, they may not have the longer lengths in stock. 16' Ash

HighPlainsDrifter,

I am very fussy about my workmanship just like you.
I used 8' clear stock on my 38 Special Merlin because it is easier to find and also less costly.
I used a nice new "finger joint" router bit in the router table and matched the pieces before gluing with epoxy. The joint is very strong so the wood will likely fail before the joint.
The results were near perfect. You would need to look hard to ever notice the joint. My joint was placed on center of the canoe but you could place it within the area of a scupper to make it even less noticeable. I can find the joints but the average person will never notice.

Dick

HPD, Once you find your wood, have you decided what size gunnels you're going to use.

Ranger:
I have not found my wood. This seems like it should be a "no-brainer", but it is proving to be a pain.

Mike at Heartland Wood Products (Redwood falls, MN) thinks he can line me up. I have plenty to work on right now, so I will let the gunnel stock sit for a bit until nicer driving weather.

Sparetime:
The Albert Lee connection may also hold promise

Buffalo:
If the crap hits the fan I will follow your suggestion on the finger joint

Thanks for the tips guys.

HPD I can check here and see if they have white ash still.

GSP
What thickness did you use on your inwales and outwales?
Also, Where are you from?
Joe

I used 3/4" x 1" with a kerf edge to cover the edge and then 1/2 rounded edge in the mad river form. I am in Mankato, picked up the pieces at Lloyd Lumber they had it in stock at the time. It was plenty solid and I would consider going a little smaller next time. I do have one piece of ash left that is 3/4" x 1 1/2" and little over 16'