There are several materials that can be used for canoe gunwales, including wood, aluminum, and fiberglass. Tighten hardware snugly. The gunwales should be treated periodically with . Lightly sand top and sides of gunwales with progression of sandpaper grits. Patching the gel coated outside with glass and epoxy, not so much. Halpc, let us know how you decide to proceed, and when you do, photos please. Whether you need a replacement for a damaged gunwale or youre simply looking to upgrade your canoe, we have what you need. Gunwale Guard is available in a natural or dark-stained finish. It is not necessary to glue the decks to the inwales. That's the kind of sense that makes the Mad River Rabbit a Confident Bunny.. At a command, have both paddlers paddle forward on one side of the hull, turning the canoe away from the paddles. A Genuine Canoe Building & Paddle SportRepair Shop. The only hardware available is 3/16. The T-Formex Remake. The Replacement Wood Deck for Mad River Canoes. Mad River Canoe recommends oiling wooden gunwales twice a year, and even more if you store your canoe outside. Once you get the boat up to cruising speed, ease off and let the hull glide forward. The rails, seats, yokes, carry handles and thwarts on your Mad River Canoe are native Vermont straight-grained ash, chosen for its resiliency, strength and aesthetic appearance. Gunwales are relatively easy to install and can be done by anyone with a little bit of know-how. A fresh water rinse after a salt water paddle will also help reduce the likelihood of corrosion. The terms and stipulations of the coverage may define how your canoe should be stored. Treat underside of decks with Gunwale Guard and allow to dry before commencing installation. Extended decks offer protection from sun and spray. Some seem to be more solidly planted than others. Mark point on rail where deck ends. We will document the repair process and post the results. When exposed to normal conditions, the gunwale of a Varnish top coat will degrade as it flexes. Prior to ordering gunwales, back out the screws securing the decks to the gunwales to confirm that the decks are not glued in place. newitem313117035 Allow at least 6-8 weeks or more from purchase date till pick-up. Nonetheless, a little TLC will go a long way in ensuring your canoe is capable of delivering all the performance its' capable of. Due to the length of these gunwales, they must ship via freight carrier on a tractor trailer. That didn't make much difference when Kathleen and I lived on the west coast, where temperatures didn't get all that cold. Gaining that feel of your canoe will pay huge dividends when you're out in the field and unanticipated situations and conditions arise. The problem I see with your breaks compared to the others is that yours is straight across the grain, while theirs have at least some degree of splitting. Timeless and Rugged. Serial numbers are located on the right side of the stern of the hull just below the gunwale. Finally, if you are ordering replacement parts, please review our Shipping Notice. If you see evidence of corrosion it is best to remove and replace that hardware at your earliest opportunity. There is no such thing as effective gunwale protection. Confirm that gunwales are firmly seated against top of canoe hull. These new gunwales are made from the highest quality materials and are designed to fit all Old Town Canoe models. Collect a handful of sawdust and set aside. Be careful not to drive head of screw through the flange. The hardware had round carriage bolt heads whereas the 3/16 has a Phillips head. Plastic and wood expand and contract at different rates during times of warming and cooling. The new gunwales also need to treated with a fresh coat of oil. Complete instructions can be found HERE. 8060212: 19 foot Wood Non-Kerfed, Inwale or Outwale for Royalex up to 18.5': $138.59 One of the keys to effective, efficient paddling is the ability to anticipate how your boat will respond and to take advantage of that. . Mad River Canoe recommends that upon receiving your canoe, you apply another coat yourself. If satisfied with fit, tape the deck in place with duct tap running from wide end of deck down center of deck and over stem. This will help eliminate or at least reduce the panic and over-reaction that might be experienced when the canoe is leaned. right or left to ensure proper reinstallation. For those who aren't sure where to begin their canoeing adventure, search our "Getting started" articles today. Especially the segment of broken inwale that supports a seat hanger carriage bolt. The new or original decks are then fastened with two screws after installation. You can purchase new gunwales from a canoe dealer or online retailer. A thicker layer of wood absorbs the destructive energy. Wood Gunwales have replaced Composite Hulls in the field. So there is a ton of old epoxy left along the inside of the hull (see photos.) You are using an out of date browser. When shopping for replacement gunwales, its important to know the dimensions of your canoe. On wooden gunwales, outwale will drop free when final fasteners are removed. Lacking a new gunwale option scarfing in new wood will work, although matching the old gunwale profile, grain and color may be a challenge. Make a fourth mark 2" from tip of deck. Remove countersink and drill other holes deeper and insert 2 screws in other locations and tighten. Maintenance will most likely necessitate an hourly commitment of 12 to 20 minutes per month, or less frequently if necessary. Beginning at center of hull, insert self-tapping square drive screw onto drive bit and place tip in groove running down center of gunwale flange on the outside of hull. ** S hooks can be made easily from a wire clothes hanger. You can give the oil a thorough cleaning after it has been applied. They can be merely ornamental or can be used to tie in gear or be used to set the canoe up as a hunting blind. C-Forum has a great deal of information on replacing vinyl gunwales. Depending on the length of the deck, there are vinyl rails that can be used to support canoes that reach 176. Do not use any type of abrasive cleanser as this can scratch or dull your hull finish. Ed's sells replacement wood. Loose (very thick) bowline tied off through lining holes on a vinyl gunwaled OT Tripper. 6. If you have an older model canoe and the decks are glued to the gunwales, you may want to consider the short-splicing process that allows you to utilize those existing decks. A Kit for Vinyl Gunwales, with Rivets, is available. Building, Restoration, Repair and Outfitting. Either plane off or sand off the kerf on the inwale side. 8062010) has been discontinued. Due to repeated use and/or vibration during transportation, the hardware can loosen over time and may require occasional adjustment. Lay new gunwales on top of old and determine which fits best on each side of canoe and label them as such. Older hardware can be recycled during a re-rail. Drill hole vertically through the point of the deck to provide a drain for water trapped when canoe is inverted for storage or transport. This can be done with a chisel and hammer. Due to their length, ash rails cannot be sent UPS. Has anyone tried infusing gflex into a break like this rather then splicing in a new piece of gunwale? . It is critical that the gunwales be fully seated on the hull, especially in the area where the sides of the hull begin to transition to the rise at the ends. The number should be revealed on reverse side of paper. Expect prices to raise. Care must be taken to sand down the exposed top edge of the hull laminate between the gunwales as this can be sharp and a bit ragged. Let dry. Use caution in breaking the glue joint as damage to the hull laminate can result. The simplest way to remove the rivets is to grind the top of the rivets off of the gunnels you will use to toss them. 2021 Prices for Wood Gunwales by part number. Wood gunwales and deck-plates provide the perfect accent to carbon or Kevlar canoes. As a result, synthetic gunwales tend to concentrate this force at a specific point. Canoes will glide differently; some will carry their way for a good ways while others will drop speed very quickly. Drill a hole through junction at ends of inwale to provide drainage for any trapped water when canoe is inverted. Below component, place flat washer and lock nut and start nut. My current canoe is a bright blue Madriver 14TT Explorer which is made out of a triple tough plastic. You can absolutely repair the gunnel with regular epoxy thickened with microfibers (and a little sawdust if you want to match color). Quick view. Be ready to clamp the deck and connected ends of gunwales in place on hull when the outwale is removed as per following instructions. Measure each new gunwale and mark center point on each piece. Mad River's hardware was switched to a 3/16 bore in the late 1990s. If fit is good, cover ends of new inwale and ends of existing end pieces with glue. An interior patch with a single layer of 6 ounce/square yard plain weave S fiberglass made over Kevlar can be very cosmetically acceptable. Support gunwales at waist height. Thanks to everyone for your very informative replies and the link to the video. Align the outside rails along the outside edge of the hull. Do the white lines (last photo) on the interior indicate that there are problems with the underlying kevlar? 65.8K subscribers Subscribe 796 Share 57K views 9 years ago 6 hour install and 1 hour finish sanding to replace. You can also find them online, but be sure to do your research to make sure youre getting a good quality product. Canoe will become flexible once seats and thwarts or yokes are removed. Mad River Canoe stocks decks for current canoe models and those that have been discontinued for more than three years. While I agree that the simplest solution is often the best solution, those gunwale issues seem more complex to resolve satisfactorily epoxied and clamped in situ. Product Details Reviews 17' Ash wood, non-kerfed, replacement gunwale for Mad River Royalex canoes up to 16'5". I wouldn't use G-Flex for this application. Same Mad River profile as our full length ash gunwales. Because I have one, and am very biased, I vote to replace the gunnels. Tape deck firmly down onto top of hull with duct tape. Except you cant right now; Eds is out of stock. Loose bowline on a wood gunwaled kevlar Rendezous. It is recommended that you fully review the instructions before beginning the project so that you have a sense of what to expect and can judge whether you are comfortable with all the steps involved and have the necessary tools, etc. When all fasteners are free, pry up on decks and remove. So, if youre looking for a durable, long-lasting replacement for your mad river canoe, look no further than Canoe Country Outfitters. Tighten lock washers and nuts until contacting bottom of component. Varnish is a brittle top coat protection that will be broken down as the gunwale flexs under normal use. A paste style cleanser is recommended for cleaning your canoe hull. Does not include decks. **Waterproof wood glue is needed if you pursue the short splicing repair process that preserves original wood decks by trimming new gunwales short of decks. Cut both rails on line marked. Has anyone tried infusing gflex into a break like this rather then splicing in a new piece of gunwale? Old Town Canoe Replacement Gunwales are the perfect way to replace your old, damaged or worn-out gunwales. Older Mad River Canoe gunwale rivets can be removed by using a 13/64 drill bit. Gunwale FAQs; Gelcoat FAQs; Composite FAQs; Royalex FAQs; Warranty. The Lashing Kit for Wood Gunwales 8023344 (formerly part no. Depending on hull shape, canoes will paddle differently as well as sit differently in the water.. Mark original rivet or screw locations on hull below gunwale. If you are short-splicing with original decks: With center of inwale secured, check to see that one end of the inwale fits snugly against the existing inwale attached to deck. The inwale fits flush against the inside of the hull and its top is butted up against the edge of the kerf, concealing the hull. Slotted rails do cost more than solid rails. Gunwale Guard (if your canoe has wood gunwales): Gunwale Guard is a resinated oil that soaks into the grain of the wood, providing a deep layer of protection against moisture. Narrow side of gunwale goes to the outside of the hull and wide side to inside to provide mounting point for hanging seats, thwarts, and yokes. Be aware that immediately following application that 303 will leave surfaces slippery. . The canoe should not be bow-heavy, you want it to be either neutral or flat or slightly bow-light. Measure distance from stem to end of deck and mark 4 evenly spaced screw locations on each side. And never again. Heres a quick guide on how to buy replacement gunwales for your canoe. I'd be tempted to somehow separate the break in the gunwale, maybe a V cut?, and then jam some thickened G-Flex in between the break, put some Peel Ply on it and on top of that tape it down. It's best to coil or contain the painters when not in use so that they do not tangle paddler's feet. Check other end as well. Both types are pretty much maintenance-free, although a coat of 303 Protectant will protect the finish. While itis possible special order modern wood gunwales, 8060211 Kerfed and 8060200 Kerfed-Slotted,from Mad River there are some concerns. Carefully drill vertical holes through gunwales. for a one-time fee of $30. Make straight line at end of rail by sighting down to opposite end of canoe along keel line. Our Mad River Explorer canoe had wooden gunwales, and a Royalex, plastic hull. Mad River has been building canoes for over 30 years and many changes and improvements have been made during that time. Folks who have tackled those kinds of gunwale splits and cracks, would you recommend epoxying the wales left in place, or removing them before gluing back together? Tempting as a quick and dirty repair might be, I would scarf in a new segment of inwale and outwale. Remove all thwarts/yokes, seats, etc. Instructions are in the manual. There is a 4-piece gunwale set, with inners (3/4 x 7/8 x length) and outers (5/8 x 7/8 x length). The T-Formex Remake. Bear in mind that one of the advantages of a sliding seat is the ability to change trim to best suit different conditions. One of the nice things about canoes is that they are comparatively low-maintenance. If a boat is heavily damaged in a sharp impact, it can easily shatter the varnish top coat on a gunwale, as can banging the boat on a river rock or even dropping the boat onto its side as it approaches a portage. Composite (fiberglass or Kevlar hulls) differ in thickness from Royalex If you are unsure of model or material, bring your boat to the dealer, they can usually identify the model and material. This will provide a reference for replacement of these parts when new gunwales are installed. Mark the placement of seats, thwarts, portage yokes any components attached to your gunwales. My last option would be to try to epoxy the breaks back together. They seat 2 occupants, and may accommodate 3rd and 4th . Do not lay the painters in the bottom of your canoe or put gear on top of them, making them difficult to retrieve. At the other end of the life cycle, wood is also quite green, so disposal issues are unlikely. Add to Wish List. File the top edge of any rough spots. Mark and trim the new inwale 3 short of end of deck at each end. This is the perfect opportunity to ensure longevity with your new gunwales and the only opportunity you will have to thoroughly treat the surface of the gunwale that will be against the hull once installed. That is something I haven't done before so don't know about the bond. After the rivets or screws have been drilled out, it is possible to remove gunwales. The T-Formex Remake. Wood Gunwale Replacement for Composite Hulls Canoes with fine woodwork are a tradition at Mad River Canoe. Even skipping that and just picking out the loose material and filling with gel coat, meh, other that white-on-white I havent seen many gel coat repairs that really matched worth a damn, and Im colorblind. Most of the changes have been made to respond to sustainability of wood species. It is an option to use non-kerfed gunwales intended for Royalex hulls on a composite hull if your dealer has such gunwales in stock. If there are damaged strands or a soft spot (considering the lack of gelcoat) I'd rather be safe than sorry and put a patch over it. AA611D Canoe Repair / Gunwale Rivet, Black, Per each. Do I need to try to find some kerfed gunwale splints or is it worth it trying to fix it with glex first? Return to original end and wipe up any glue that may have run down from gunwale. 303 is the recommended treatment for all Mad River Canoe hull materials. Hello all you canoe repair experts! 4. JavaScript is disabled. The natural can be applied to bare, unstained wood or over Gunwale Guard Stain. With a pencil, mark outside of the hull at rear edge of the deck on both sides. Repeat for opposite end of canoe. It is great for fishing or day trips with a family . Drill from outside hull positioning end of drill bit in center of rivet head. Angle should run so that end against hull will be closest to deck. 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