C-Forum

Hello All!
I'm sure this is stepping in a big pile, but I'm looking for suggestions for (**preferably local**) sources for aluminum gunnel material.

It's for an old royalex canoe that is and must continue to be stored outside. For 10+ years it's had rotted wood gunnels that I've been too busy paddling other boats to replace (in spite of good intentions). I'd like to get it back on the water by summer.

Thanks, in advance,
Bill

ps-There is also mold growing on the inner hull. If you have a suggestion how to get rid of that without damaging the plastic I'd also be grateful.

Any Old Town dealers near you? You might be able to order real gunwales through them. They were optional on many of their boats.

If you are more ambitious, you could do what I did: Make them from scratch from tubing. You'd have to get the material from a local metal supplier though. 12' lengths are pretty common, but you can find 21-24' lengths too. You'll probably have to pre-pay and/or pick it up at the distributor.

http://wwslalom.net/paddling/spark/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How about vinyl gunwales? Most boats since the original Blue Holes, have had vinyl with aluminum inserts (I'm sure the length and location varies). Our local paddling shops have sets up to 16' or so. Might be easier to find than full length aluminum and still be low maintenance.

where's local?

I've used Old Town 17' vinyl with aluminum inserts to replace wooden gunnels or replace damaged ones on Mad River as well as Old Town canoes. Just cut them to fit and pop rivet them on. Shipping may be pricey if you are not near a dealer though

SwimmerBill wrote:. . . (**preferably local**). . .

Not sure where 'local' is, but Western Canoeing (manufacturers of Clipper), Abbotsford, BC, has scads of gunn'ls and gunn'l material, for a variety of boats, including their own.

If you have a Clipper dealer near you, it might be worth an inquiry.

Good luck!

Rick

Thanks All!
Local is Pittsburgh. I'll check if there are any major canoe dealers nearby (and vinyl with AL insets is fine too) - that sounds like the best solution.
If not, what about something like buying rectangular aluminum stock from someone local and using that?

Bill

A cursory search didn't show any metal suppliers near Pittsburg, which is surprising. I've got three suppliers relatively near me in CT. If you have to pay shipping, it could get expensive.
Material-wise, it's about $1.00-$1.50/ft and you might have to buy four 20ft lengths.. I did my Spark with 1/2" square (1/16" wall) on the outside, 3/4" square x 1/16" wall on the inside. I got away with using 12-footers. It feels bulletproof.

Blue Mountain Outfitters in Marysville, PA Rocks. They have a lot of canoes and several different brands and Mary and Doug are awesome to deal with.

Good Luck,

Gavin

Bill give me a call or email. The "graveyard of elephants" might have an old boat that can be stripped to meet your needs (might need strainghted out)! Whats the lenght?

Besides I owe ya for that other boat.

Paul C

Will do Paul- Will you be at the Christmas party? I might wait till then because its busy with the year starting up. The canoe is a 17+ foot tripper sized one (Mohawk Intrepid).

Bill

Nope on the party. Kids have ski comp in NY.

'll be up at the shack this weekend and hopefully remember to hike back through the snow to measure what I have.

Keep bugg'n me if I forget. I might have only up to 16' so keep thinking up a plan B. We'll figure out something.

By the way if you need that other boat (or any other) just let me know. I have another 17' that I'm working on now for summer as well.

As for the mold... wait for a nice warm day, mix up some h20 with a touch of bleach and scrub that mold away. Or take it to roll class so as to make friends with the aquatics director!