Gunnel Repair

[dirk]

I have a cracked gunnel (in wall) on a Pyranha Prelude. Outside was cracked, but repaired by previous owner. What is the best ADHESIVE for the job? I have G-Flex, but wonder if a wood specific glue is better. Hoping to clean it up a bit, squeeze in the adhesive, and clamp and/or add a screw.

[Mikey B]

Since you are repairing on the boat...an epoxy probably is the best choice as it has good gap filling properties and good strength. If you were removing it, I prefer Titebond. If you have G-Flex that would be great, otherwise any good epoxy should do

[dirk]

Would you add a screw to hold everything together? Thanks

[ezwater]

I would add a screw if I needed it to clamp the glue job, or if I expected the glue job to fail and needed the screw to hold things together so I could finish my paddle.

When I did a similar repair, I epoxied a length of ash along the inwale. The repair lasted a long time.

[JimW]

I agree, if you have suitable clamps just clamp it until cured (if using 5 minute epoxy note that it won't reach full strength for many more hours and you should keep something springy like an inwale clamped until then).
If you don't have clamps or can't get the gap to close effectively by clamping use a strategically placed screw, try and use stainless screws and don't bother trying to remove it/them (i.e. countersink just enough to get the head flush).