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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Canoe Forum :: Gunnel question

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sedges

03/08/2019 06:07PM

Gunwale is the spelling, gun'l or gunnel is the way its pronounced!

If these canoes are the Old Towns with high curved ends, the gunwales will have to be steamed to bend to the curve without breaking. Books available from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association will cover the process well.

Steaming is a lot simpler than it sounds. When you are searching for wood to make the gunwales find some boards with real straight grain that doesn't run out the edges of the board. Less likely to split or break in the bend.

Whatsit

03/08/2019 05:39AM

Hi, first of all is it called a gunnel or a gunwale?
I am buying an old town 1920’s canoe and it needs new gunnels
Does anyone have any experience doing this that I could ask advise to?
Mike

mirth

03/08/2019 12:13PM

Gunnel and gunwale are interchangeable. If your gunwales are multi part, the piece on the inside of the hull is called the inwale, the outside piece is called the outwale.

I've only worked with composite boats, so my experience re-railing my canoes may not translate exactly to your need. Similar to your other question about restoring the boat, the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association should be a valuable resource for information including the process.

Good luck & be sure to share photos of your progress!