Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Replacement for Sitka gunwales

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Location
    Dover-Foxcroft, ME USA
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Can anyone suggest a substitute for Sitka spruce when used for the inner gunwales on a canoe? Sitka is expensive and difficult to buy in small quantities.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Location
    Dover-Foxcroft, ME USA
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Can anyone suggest a substitute for Sitka spruce when used for the inner gunwales on a canoe? Sitka is expensive and difficult to buy in small quantities.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Location
    Dover-Foxcroft, ME USA
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Can anyone suggest a substitute for Sitka spruce when used for the inner gunwales on a canoe? Sitka is expensive and difficult to buy in small quantities.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 1999
    Location
    Port Townsend, Washington, USA
    Posts
    128

    Default

    Ash, perhaps? Lighter than oak, very strong, and steam bends easily.
    Roy

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 1999
    Location
    Port Townsend, Washington, USA
    Posts
    128

    Default

    Ash, perhaps? Lighter than oak, very strong, and steam bends easily.
    Roy

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 1999
    Location
    Port Townsend, Washington, USA
    Posts
    128

    Default

    Ash, perhaps? Lighter than oak, very strong, and steam bends easily.
    Roy

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Madison Wisconsin
    Posts
    6,531

    Default

    Since inner gunwales aren't as subject to abrasion and weathering as outer gunwales, anything that is reasonably strong and straight will usually work. I've owned boats with spruce, mahogany, ash and hemlock on the inwales. Pine and fir would also work. Cedar and redwood are probably a bit soft and light, oak is sometimes used, but is a little heavy. Occasionally, you see cherry and other hardwoods used. You can also scarf stock together to build inwales from shorter pieces, but it should be a long (10:1 or 12:1) scarf.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Madison Wisconsin
    Posts
    6,531

    Default

    Since inner gunwales aren't as subject to abrasion and weathering as outer gunwales, anything that is reasonably strong and straight will usually work. I've owned boats with spruce, mahogany, ash and hemlock on the inwales. Pine and fir would also work. Cedar and redwood are probably a bit soft and light, oak is sometimes used, but is a little heavy. Occasionally, you see cherry and other hardwoods used. You can also scarf stock together to build inwales from shorter pieces, but it should be a long (10:1 or 12:1) scarf.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Madison Wisconsin
    Posts
    6,531

    Default

    Since inner gunwales aren't as subject to abrasion and weathering as outer gunwales, anything that is reasonably strong and straight will usually work. I've owned boats with spruce, mahogany, ash and hemlock on the inwales. Pine and fir would also work. Cedar and redwood are probably a bit soft and light, oak is sometimes used, but is a little heavy. Occasionally, you see cherry and other hardwoods used. You can also scarf stock together to build inwales from shorter pieces, but it should be a long (10:1 or 12:1) scarf.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •