C-Forum

I've got a wood gunneled Outrage, I know the hardware should be loosened to prevent cracks, but I'd like to paddle it this winter. I can store it inside or outside. What do I do? Thanks.

inside unless you want cold cracks

if you store it outside loose the screws in the first foot or so of each gunnel on each end

I can store it inside, but when I take it out to paddle in the cold it won't crack? And if I head out to the mountains for a few days, where it can't be kept inside overnight, what then?

Cold cracks happen because of extreme temp. changes. Typically this won't happen in just one night. If you take it out and paddle it in the cold water direct from your house the temp change won't (shouldn't) be extreme enough to cause any problems. If you are out in the mountains, chances are the temp swings won't be extreme enough to do any damage. If you are really worried about it then just back the screws out a little on both ends of the boat, you don't have to take them all the way out just loosen them, and uit doesn't take very long either.
B

What about just removing the deck plates?
I believe I have heard someone mention once that just removing the deck plated allows for sufficient amount of flex to avoid any cold crack.
Is that correct?

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

Martin that is the approach I'm taking with my Mad River Explorer since the gunwales are not full lenght (stop at the end of the boat and are not connected) and there is no deck plates on it (to lighten its weight). Very thin plastic plates (1/8") will be reinstalled next spring. Granted this is a cruiser and not ww but I would think it would work there too.
How are those plates connected - is that an option?

And here I'm wondering if I'll actually need my dry top this year, at least on the local run

I've been told the reason why cold cracks occur is because of the expansion/contraction rates of the three different materials: stainless steel screws, royalex and wood gunnels.

I've also seen cold cracks in person (not my beloved canoes!) and the cracks severely weaken the canoe and can only repaired with fiberglass and resin.

Avoid the possible and be safe and happy!

Kevin

The deck plates were held on with 4 stainless screws each(into the gunnels). I just removed them. I think I'll store the boat in my brother's garage anyway. Thanks for the input.

I've paddled my plastic gunwhaled Outrage vintage '03 for four Northeast winters, it's not all that fragile but chances for cracks from hits due to the cold temps are higher.

One NewYears paddle had it loaded on the car outdoors, temps were down in the teens overnight and didn't get above freezing the next day while paddling, some ice accumulating on the sides of the river. Nothing extraordinary, just one hit just above the knees caused a couple internal cracks with some spider cracking spanning about 6" radius.

Don't remember if I did the penny nail hole on the end of each crack to prevent the crack from extending further (recommended) before laying a piece of vinyl applied with vynabond over the area, but haven't seen sight of those cracks since. I know some of you are saying, yeah you don't know what's going on under the vinyl. True, but unless the crack appears from under the vinyl and the patch is intact so no water will get in to degrade it further why worry.

I use vinyl for all interior cracks and abs paste for exterior cracks.

I want wood gunwhales....even if it does mean more work.

Heidi -

What are you using for vinyl? Raft (repair) material with Vynabond?

Scott

Thanks Heidi

Upstate NY I see, will you be at Moosefest?

Hey Scott, yup raft vinyl, from the trash bin at a rafting company.

Gumpy, won't be heading to Moosefest this year. It's a goodtime, but memory is still fresh from the last...paddling against the wind into a cold driving rain that turned to snow.

Looking forward to the New Boston MA release that weekend, if obligations allow.

Heidi