Wood gunnels

[49erbassman]

Hello everyone. I have a small tin can that is in need of some restoration work. I am looking for advise on a few things

1. What type of wood to use for the gunnels? Has to be flexible to bend to the shape of the boat
2. Is there an alternative to wood?
3. Should I use two pieces of wood sandwiched together or one piece with a routered slot for the new gunnels?

I'm trying to do this the least expensive way possible but want it to last at least 5 years. I will use a good paint and sealer. Any advise would be great. Thank you.

If I can get tapatalk to work I can provide photos

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Wood gunnels

What boat? What wood? Hard to really help when we don't have anything to reference. A MFG, Model and Year and size would really help alot in lieu of pics.

 

[49erbassman]

Re: Wood gunnels

By the way the boat is registered as a 1958 seaking. I have a 1965 seaking 5hp motor for it. The wood is the trim that covers the gunnels. It measures out at 11.5'

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Wood gunnels

Well I tried Googlin a 58' Sea King to see if I could find a Pic of one but no luck. You're gunna have to post some so we can see what you're trying to do.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Wood gunnels

Sandwiched between 3/4" exterior grade plywood should work just fine.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Wood gunnels

Yes, we really need some pictures, that will help us to understand if there is any twisting required along with the bending. As for wood selection, for a single 'stick', green white oak and steaming would be about the easiest. Laminated you could use a variety. Glued up mahogany laminates would probably work (haven't seen what you need to do yet), and mahogany glues well.

Here's what you can do with white oak

There are also a number of 'plastic' / 'rubber' manufactured rubrails available that can be bent right into place and fastened.

 

[49erbassman]

Re: Wood gunnels

No twisting or even 45 degree bends. Thank you

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Wood gunnels

We still need those pics!!!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Wood gunnels

No twisting or even 45 degree bends. Thank you

I know the kind of boat you're talking about, very simple/basic 12' tiller design. There was a guy on here last year that did one like it with the wooden gunwales.

Like I said, 3/4" exterior plywood will work fine... especially if you're going to paint it. You'd probably want to go with something fancier if you were going to stain or clear seal it, but paint and plywood will be fine.

I'd rip the plywood down to 2" wide and put a 1/4" radius on the 2 exposed corners. Sandwich the hull between 2 pieces and fasten them together with 1/4"x1-1/2" stainless steel sex bolts.

 

[49erbassman]

Re: Wood gunnels

Thanks jigngrub!!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Wood gunnels

Sex bolts?

 

[49erbassman]

Re: Wood gunnels

Sex bolts?

Architectural Sex Bolts - Fasteners

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Wood gunnels

Now THAT'S a NEW one fer ME!!!!! I may have to buy some just so I can tell All my Friends that I HAVE some!!!! And using them on your boat would automatically make it a SEXY Boat!!!!

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Wood gunnels

Now THAT'S a NEW one fer ME!!!!! I may have to buy some just so I can tell All my Friends that I HAVE some!!!! And using them on your boat would automatically make it a SEXY Boat!!!!

Just ask your wife, she will tell you the truth Mike.

 

[GWPSR]

Re: Wood gunnels

Now THAT'S a NEW one fer ME!!!!! I may have to buy some just so I can tell All my Friends that I HAVE some!!!! And using them on your boat would automatically make it a SEXY Boat!!!!

You use those when it's not appropriate to have your nuts showing :facepalm: