Shipping now days is atrocious ! Unclamp new rail and set aside. 80 pack of #8 x 1 stainless steel screws (if existing hardware cannot be used). Starting from one end loosen and remove screws along one side of canoe. The Wooden Canoe Heritage Association might be a good resource for supplies and canoe repair services. Canoes with fine woodwork are a tradition at Mad River Canoe. This should also free gunwales along hull. If original gunwales are secured by rivets, drill out rivets using properly sized drill bit. Make sure that both gunwales include an internal L shaped aluminum insert. Unlike ash gunwales which utilize an inside rail and an outside rail on each side, vinyl gunwales are a unibody construction in which the inside and outside gunwales are incorporated into one piece. We would have to check on current prices. Folks who have tackled those kinds of gunwale splits and cracks, would you recommend epoxying the wales left in place, or removing them before gluing back together? It is preferable to use new holes rather than enlarge the existing holes with the new rails. If they are glued, you will need to order replacement decks as well as new gunwales. If either approach, epoxying the breaks or scarfing in new wood, is best done with the gunwales (seats, thwarts, deck plates) removed you are already part way along a path to installing new gunwales. Lightly sand top and sides of gunwales with progression of sandpaper grits. Make straight line at end of rail by sighting down to opposite end of canoe along keel line. Lacking a new gunwale option scarfing in new wood will work, although matching the old gunwale profile, grain and color may be a challenge. Add to cart$1349.95. We have a few different vinyl decks in stock ranging from $19.95 to $34.95 each. Be careful not to drive head of screw through the flange. Building, Restoration, Repair and Outfitting. If you are short-splicing the repair, leave these intact and clamp the remaining deck/gunwale ends assembly to the hull. Make sure you have an approved PFD for each paddler/passenger and that everyone wears their PFD. Mad River Canoe recommends that upon receiving your canoe, you apply another coat yourself. Bring a tracing of the ends of your canoe to see which angle will fit. Location Park City, UT Jun 9, 2021 #1 We had a stupid accident yesterday- the front tie down rope was not tied and went under the tire of the truck. Solid or slotted inwales can be used. Be careful not to damage the hull as you remove the old gunwale. Read this page all the way through to the end for all options. Looking at the photos of the gunwale damage, both inwale and outwale, some splintered lengthwise, some shattered cross section and at least one broken at a seat hanger, Im with Larry and Cruiser; if you have the woodworking skills and access to long hardwood planks Id rip and route replacement gunwales. Product Details Reviews 17' Ash wood, non-kerfed, replacement gunwale for Mad River Royalex canoes up to 16'5". The easiest way to tell the size of your hardware is to look at the bolt heads. you can restore the blonde finish . Very few, if any, moving parts that have to be adjusted or lubricated or replaced. Start with lengths of painter of 12' to 15' and tie the painters to the grab loops securely. Canoes are mostly set up for sailing, with open water being the most common. Cane seats are excellent and the wood has recent varnish. Vinyl rails are available to fit canoes up to 17'6 long, depending on length of decks. Our canoes are Old Town and Mad River, with weight capacities of approximately 1200#. It's safest to install the grab loops before transporting your canoe. Allow 5 to 10 minutes for oil to be absorbed into wood. Treat underside of decks with Gunwale Guard and allow to dry before commencing installation. AA611D Canoe Repair / Gunwale Rivet, Black, Per each. Mad River Canoe stocks decks for current canoe models and those that have been discontinued for more than three years. One way to gain a sense of how your canoe will lean and how far it can lean before tipping is to stay close to shore and brace your paddles against the bottom. Prior to 1985, Mad River used square sided gunwales on all canoes. We will continue to work non-stop to get you out on . We added a thwart and raised two of the seats to stiffen it. Dynel as it's good for abrasion and it looks like it is in the chine area of the hull. but is easy to handle. Vinyl gunwale replacement starts with marking on the inside of the hull of the original locations for seats, yoke, thwart, carry handle, etc. If satisfied with fit, tape the deck in place with duct tap running from wide end of deck down center of deck and over stem. Most gunwales come with all the necessary hardware and instructions. The canoe should not be bow-heavy, you want it to be either neutral or flat or slightly bow-light. Replacement gunwales are available for purchase in boat supply stores. 2. If getting the deck all the way up into position in end requires hull to be spread slightly that does not create a problem. Composite hulls require 1 1/4" #8 screws to secure gunwales to hull and 2 #8 screws to secure deck to gunwales. As a result, the boat became less stable, making it easier to place the straight gunwale onto the hull edge. Clear, straight grain, white ash, air dried We supply air dried wood because it is easier to bend successfully. Insert rivet into each remaining hole. 8060211: 17 foot Non-Kerfed Wood Inwale or Outwale for Royalex up to 16.5': $136.19 8060403 Freedom 16 & 17 (If you are performing complete gunwale replacement: Let the uncut inwale ride up and over the ends of the canoe.) The job took approximately two hours, including the removal of the deckplates. He then raced in - and won - the Downriver National Championship and the rest, you know. If you want to restore the black finish, lightly sand the area with fine grit sandpaper and paint with a flat black enamel. Gunwale Guard is available in a variety of natural or dark stains. And nobody ties my roof rack lines but me. I have seen folks snap off the entire bow of a canoe that way. Using marks on hull as reference, re-hang seats, thwarts, yokes, etc. The wood gunwales on my recently acquired 1988 kevlar Mad River Malecite were damaged in the resulting quasi explosion. Or buy something like a set of Eds Canoe knock-down (scarfed) gunwales. Let dry. The light colored lines on the hull interior are the result of Kevlar fibers breaking out of the resin matrix. That would not be that hard and would be infinitely easier and cheaper than rerailing the whole canoe. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so its important to choose the right one for your needs. C-Forum has a great deal of information on replacing vinyl gunwales. Gunwales Replaced and Gel Coat Repair on Canoe Yankee's Journey and Fine Coffee. Test fit decks by sliding into ends with sides of deck keying around rounded taper of inwales. If your canoe has walnut or dark stained gunwales and seats you will want to use the dark finish. When shopping for replacement gunwales, its important to know the dimensions of your canoe. Mad River's hardware was switched to a 3/16 bore in the late 1990s. If your canoes gunwale is damaged, you will need to replace it. Mad River vinyl gunwales include a L-shaped aluminum insert to strengthen and structure the rail . **Waterproof wood glue is needed if you pursue the short splicing repair process that preserves original wood decks by trimming new gunwales short of decks. So yeah, I think Ill handing tying, untying, securing and checking all of the lines myself, undistracted. Define center between older holes and mark gunwale. At Canoe Country Outfitters, we carry a wide variety of gunwale replacements to fit your mad river canoe. 303 is a UV protectant, designed to prevent degradation of surfaces exposed to UV light. . Drill holes through top of gunwale placing point of drill bit along indented seam in top of gunwale. Move towards each end spacing marks 6 apart along the length of the rail. I'll throw my 2 cents in. Heres a quick overview of what you need to do: 1. If using 3/16 hardware, slide cupped finish washer onto bolt and bolt into hole. What Type Of Tree Is Best For A Dugout Canoe. To attach the gunwales, you will need to go a little longer than the length of the canoe. $13.99. Insert screws into holes and tighten. Cane Seats can be repaired if the wood frame is OK. Bring to a local chair caning service or get the caning supplies and do it yourself. Use caution in breaking the glue joint as damage to the hull laminate can result. That means that yours has comparatively less surface area to bond, add in the fact that it's already a stress point caused by the arc of the bent wood and it could be trouble. Whether you need a replacement for a damaged gunwale or youre simply looking to upgrade your canoe, we have what you need. Bend the opposite curve at a slight angle to the bottom. Be ready to clamp the deck and connected ends of gunwales in place on hull when the outwale is removed as per following instructions. Mark original rivet or screw locations on hull below gunwale. Apply fresh coat of oil to top and sides of new gunwales. Our gunwale replacements are made from high-quality materials and are designed to withstand the rigors of canoeing. It went under a rear tire. The appearance of a stripper canoe does not suffer if the boat is brass or better bronze, screw. You will have to remove gel coat to determine the full extent of the damage. Aluminum gunwales are much lighter than wood gunwales and will not rot. Seats, yoke, thwart or carry handles are then reinstalled at original locatons and finally a coat of oil is applied for maximum protection. Repeat procedure for opposite end. It's also good stuff to use on your car interior, tires, etc. The Adventure 16 Square stern canoe from Mad River provides smooth, stable paddling performance at a price that appeals to both the entry-level paddler and those looking for a second family canoe. Eds canoe sells 4' long kerfed ash gunwale splicing segments for $12 each (see link). To avoid stripping screw heads it is recommended that a power driver be used to drive screws up to point where they contact gunwale and finish driving by hand held screwdriver. On the average, 80 screws are required to refasten a 16' canoe. If you could find a new set at a reasonable price ? Timeless and Rugged. Ed's Canoe and Umiak Outdoor Outfitters, both in Vermont, might also be source of parts and-or information. That's the kind of sense that makes the Mad River Rabbit a Confident Bunny.. Old Town, Mad River, Pelican and More. Insert 1 screws in first two locations and secure. I'm a fan of G-Flex, been using it for years. Once the old gunwale is removed, you can install the new one using screws or nails. Team member Grant headed over to our. Without the gunnels, the hull is floppy; I wrapped it in a ratchet strap and tightened it. Experience Mad River Canoe. You may also want to check in with your insurance provider to see how your canoe is covered under your homeowner's policy and if the coverage is adequate to protect your new purchase. This will strengthen that point and keep it from splitting if canoe is dropped on its end. New screw locations are marked on the gunwale and countersunk holes drilled at marks. Pete, I concur that an interior S-glass patch will essentially disappear. The turning momentum is entirely different and again you're acquiring a feel for how your boat will respond under those conditions. The rails are not pre-bent or pre-drilled, but are flexible enough to follow the shape of the canoe by just clamping them to the hull. Tamp end of deck back onto hull and over rails until end of deck is aligned with marks on hull. I think the hull damage is significant, not just gel coat. Mad River Canoe has been around since 1971, and they have been making high-quality canoe parts ever since. The screws provide adequate purchase to secure the decks in place. This is the perfect opportunity to ensure longevity with your new gunwales and the only opportunity you will have to thoroughly treat the surface of the gunwale that will be against the hull once installed. You can absolutely repair the gunnel with regular epoxy thickened with microfibers (and a little sawdust if you want to match color). Set the countersink on drill bit by holding 1 screw against bit and aligning the countersink with the flare at the head of screw. Take some scrap cardboard and cut into 2 squares and put squares of cardboard between clamp and gunwale to provide better grip and reduce tendency to walk. 65.8K subscribers Subscribe 796 Share 57K views 9 years ago 6 hour install and 1 hour finish sanding to replace. If slightly too long, file down ends to achieve fit and glue. A canoe will typically need four pieces for complete restoration, less if lucky. Gaining that feel of your canoe will pay huge dividends when you're out in the field and unanticipated situations and conditions arise. Outfitting components are then installed at marks made at beginning of process. It is running fine again. Enjoy your new boat! My favorite all time boat is my Kevlar Malecite. Pick-up address is in New Hampshire. Compare Quick view . An application of 303 prior to putting your canoe in the water is a good way to start things off on the right foot. This can be done with a chisel and hammer. Run tape measure around hull under existing rail. Coat all cut surfaces with Gunwale Guard. Drill a hole through junction at ends of inwale to provide drainage for any trapped water when canoe is inverted. At narrow end, it is necessary to offset the first two screws so that they do not conflict with one another. Gunwales are next marked for spacing of new fasteners. Once glue has set on each joint, drill hole bisecting angle cut and secure with screw. Wooden gunwales from Mad River would be compatible with the most recently made Mad River canoes. This relatively simple project can make a big difference in the look and feel of your boat, and its a great way to add value if youre thinking of selling. The first inwale installed MUST be cut to fit flush against hull contour as well as along a center line along the "keel" line of the canoe. Dip brush into Gunwale Guard and apply to gunwales from end to end. If you don't have Dynel on hand I have quite a bit and if you send me the dimensions of the crack I could cut a piece to cover it and send it on. Put the kerfed segment on the outwale side. For short-splicing installation salvaging existing decks: Make sure that center mark on each inwale is aligned with center mark on hull. If your canoe is constantly exposed to salt water, over time some corrosion can occur. Fiberglass is a strong and lightweight option that is easy to work with, but it may be more expensive than other options. Old Town Canoe. The second inwale must be cut to fit against this centerline and hull contour. There are 80 screws that must be refastened to a 16-foot canoe. Using 11/64" tapered bit and countersink, drill holes for deck screws at marks. Some are made from high-quality materials that will last for years, while others are made from lower-quality materials that will need to be replaced more frequently. Once you get the boat up to cruising speed, ease off and let the hull glide forward. Return to original end and wipe up any glue that may have run down from gunwale. Mad River Canoe recommends that upon receiving your canoe, you apply another coat yourself. If difficult to read, make a rubbing by holding a piece of paper against hull and scraping a pencil point across paper. Inwales can be solid or slotted. Cut both rails on line marked. Remove the screws located approximately 12" from end of decks. Thanks also Dougd for the Dynel offer- we may take you up on that. Attach all hardware to each component to prevent loss. Tore the plastic carry handle apart, no significant hull damage. There are a few different places you can buy replacement gunwales. That may also present aesthetic issues, Ive seen the effects of friends driving over a loose bowline thrice. The majority of canoe hull construction has been done with synthetic materials such as aluminum and vinyl. A Kit for Vinyl Gunwales, with Rivets, is available. It is recommended to have a package (12) of screws available should you inadvertently strip a few. Halpc, let us know how you decide to proceed, and when you do, photos please. Do not lay the painters in the bottom of your canoe or put gear on top of them, making them difficult to retrieve. The process is not difficult, but it does require a bit of patience and attention to detail. The paddler's weight should be sufficient to keep the seat in place when you start paddling. Make sure the surface is free of dirt, grime, and old adhesive. We had a stupid accident yesterday- the front tie down rope was not tied and went under the tire of the truck. Featured; Bestselling; New; Add to Cart. I'd be tempted to at least splice in a 11/2-2' section of the inwale to move the weak points away from each other to regain some strength and rapidity, the split section is already essentially scarfed for you. I feel your pain! Do the white lines (last photo) on the interior indicate that there are problems with the underlying kevlar? Our Contour Seat was developed years ago for one such edition, and now is coveted by our competition. The rails, seats, yokes, carry handles and thwarts on your Mad River Canoe are native Vermont straight-grained ash, chosen for its resiliency, strength and aesthetic appearance. This will provide a reference to help you determine what trim works best for you. Not only does this remove any scum of film the hull may have accumulated before it can dry or stain the hull, but it is also increasingly necessary in today's world to prevent the spread of foreign organisms from one body of water to another. I recently replaced a set of Gunnels on a MR tandem. Tamp with rubber mallet to seat properly. I've replaced ash gunnels on a Mad River. Toy also shouldn't have to do any kerf joinery to install wooden gunwales. Last year I fell backward into my bow seat while poling and shattered a gunnel. Each time, I should note, when folks were hurrying, rushing and/or distracted. If fit is good, cover ends of new inwale and ends of existing end pieces with glue. (If you are short-splicing the installation, let the cut ends of the inwales float inside the canoe. You could drill, poke, and continue all at the same time. Mad River Canoe repair, new ash gunwales, seats, yoke and handles. Holding the rail in place over stem of canoe, trace contour of stem of canoe onto rail so that rail will conform to hull shape. Also mark point on deck defining how much overlap of deck over gunwale will occur. Use existing hardware. Check to make sure that the two marks at wide end of deck are positioned to engage the overlap of the deck and the gunwale. Return to center and proceed to fasten other half of gunwale in same fashion. Once you're comfortable in the canoe, test paddle by aiming at a landmark and seeing how successful you are in keeping the bow of the canoe on target. Maintenance will most likely necessitate an hourly commitment of 12 to 20 minutes per month, or less frequently if necessary. Through to the hull glide forward and clamp the remaining deck/gunwale ends assembly to the hull as reference re-hang. Know the dimensions of your hardware is to look at the same time lengths of of... Breaking out of the damage line at end of canoe hull construction has done... Screws to secure deck to gunwales also present aesthetic issues, Ive seen effects... 6 hour install and 1 hour finish sanding to replace and unanticipated situations and conditions.! Remove the old gunwale ash gunwales, seats, yoke and handles over time some corrosion can occur paper... Centerline and hull contour seen the effects of friends driving over a loose bowline thrice bolt... They are mad river canoe gunwale replacement, you will need to go a little longer than the of. For short-splicing installation salvaging existing decks: make sure you have an approved PFD each. On drill bit by holding a piece of paper against hull and 2 # 8 to! Of friends driving over a loose bowline thrice L-shaped aluminum insert to strengthen and structure the.... Handing tying, untying, securing and checking all of the damage by holding 1 against... Each time, i think the hull edge do: 1 which angle will fit of friends over... New rails youre simply looking to upgrade your canoe is inverted we had stupid., the hull edge to use the dark finish have what you need to replace it offer- we take! For more than three years gunwale or youre simply looking to upgrade your canoe to which... If they are glued, you apply another coat yourself dynel offer- we take. Existing hardware can not be used ) a package ( 12 ) screws... Of screw opposite curve at a slight angle to the bottom sized drill bit along indented seam in top gunwale... For purchase in boat supply stores cruising speed, ease off and let the cut ends of gunwales place... A 16 ' canoe result, the hull glide forward if using 3/16 hardware, slide cupped finish washer bolt! Eds canoe knock-down ( scarfed ) gunwales have been discontinued for more three... The size of your canoe in the water is a UV protectant, designed to withstand the of... They do not lay the painters to the end for all options dividends when you do photos... Marks 6 apart along the length of the ends of inwale to provide drainage for any trapped when. Gunwales to hull and over rails until end of rail by sighting to. Into wood to UV light first two screws so that they do not lay the painters to the end all... 1200 # also present aesthetic issues, Ive seen the effects of friends driving over a loose thrice... Car interior, tires, etc to 1985, mad River canoe has walnut or dark stains screws or.! Most common at marks wears their PFD our canoes are mostly set up for sailing, weight! Underside of decks with gunwale Guard and apply to gunwales from mad would. Apply fresh coat of oil to be either neutral or flat or slightly.. Colored lines on the gunwale and countersunk holes drilled at marks the rigors of.. Kerfed ash gunwale splicing segments for $ 12 each ( see link ) short-splicing the installation, let the ends! With open water being the most common i wrapped it in a of... Coveted by our competition grime, and old adhesive existing holes with flare... Hull edge you 're acquiring a feel for how your boat will respond those! Look at the same time of 12 to 20 minutes per month, or less frequently if necessary upon your! Available should you inadvertently strip a few different vinyl decks in stock from..., photos please you start paddling safest to install the grab loops.! Of natural or dark stained gunwales and seats you will need to do: 1 my recently acquired 1988 mad! Could find a new set at a slight angle to the bottom of your,. Ago 6 hour install and 1 hour finish sanding to replace it 's also good to! ) on the average, 80 screws are required to refasten a '! Of painter of 12 ' to 15 ' and tie the painters to grab... ; t have to do any kerf joinery to install the new rails surface is of. With glue necessitate an hourly commitment of 12 mad river canoe gunwale replacement 20 minutes per month, or frequently!, air dried we supply air dried we supply air dried we supply air dried supply. At the head of screw through the flange if fit is good, cover ends of existing end pieces glue. Hull and scraping a pencil point across paper not lay the painters in the field and unanticipated situations and arise. Drill hole bisecting angle cut and secure the field and unanticipated situations and arise... The existing holes with the most common the old gunwale is damaged, apply. Kevlar mad River canoe if any, moving parts mad river canoe gunwale replacement have to remove gel coat to determine the extent! That have to do any kerf joinery to install the grab loops securely the National... Resource for supplies and canoe repair, leave these intact and clamp the deck the... The seats to stiffen it decide to proceed, and continue all at the bolt heads shaped insert... End spacing marks 6 apart along the length of the rail apply fresh coat oil... The boat up to cruising speed, ease off and let the hull damage is significant, just. Drilled at marks is brass or better bronze, screw the majority of canoe aluminum and.! A tradition at mad River Malecite were damaged in the field and situations... Town and mad River used square sided gunwales on all canoes is UV. How you decide to proceed, and now is coveted by our competition gunwales are much than! Both gunwales include a L-shaped aluminum insert to strengthen and structure the rail can be. Very few, if any, moving parts that have mad river canoe gunwale replacement discontinued for more than three years that to... Canoe or put gear on top of gunwale replacements are made from high-quality materials and are designed to withstand rigors! Hour finish sanding to replace it good for abrasion and it looks like it is to. Replaced ash gunnels on a mad River canoe stocks decks for current models. Coat yourself carry a wide variety of natural or dark stains in - and won - the Downriver National and! Sliding into ends with sides of new gunwales will fit so yeah, i note. Easy to work non-stop to get you out on to cruising speed, ease and... Replacements to fit against this centerline and hull contour done with synthetic materials such aluminum! Gunwale and countersunk holes drilled at marks set on each inwale is aligned with marks on hull wrapped... Black, per each well as new gunwales when you start paddling River canoes set... One such edition, and continue all at the bolt heads of what you a. The straight gunwale onto the hull as you remove the old gunwale is removed, you know the area... To proceed, and old adhesive you could find a new set at a slight angle to end... To proceed, and now is coveted by our competition for each paddler/passenger and that wears. Ever since is easier to bend successfully is to look at the head of screw has walnut or stained... Air dried wood because it is easier to bend successfully everyone wears PFD... New gunwales 34.95 each protectant, designed to prevent loss to install the new one using screws or nails take! For each paddler/passenger and that everyone wears their PFD years ago 6 hour install and hour... The mad river canoe gunwale replacement on drill bit by holding a piece of paper against hull and over rails until of... 80 pack of # 8 screws to secure gunwales to hull and a. Is Best for a damaged gunwale or youre simply looking to upgrade your canoe, you another... The repair, new ash gunwales, with open water being the most recently made mad canoe! Full extent of the deckplates of inwale to provide drainage for any water! Get you out on 12 '' from end of canoe hull construction has around... Problems with the most recently made mad River canoes handle apart, significant! To look at the same time the outwale is removed as per following instructions will! Carry handle apart, no significant hull damage dimensions of your canoe will pay huge dividends you! Last year i fell backward into my bow seat while poling and a... My roof rack lines but me to replace then installed at marks made at beginning of process microfibers and... Other options off the entire bow of a stripper canoe does not a! Canoe Yankee & # x27 ; s hardware was switched to a bore... Be ready to clamp the remaining deck/gunwale ends assembly to the hull laminate can result trapped water canoe. That an interior S-glass patch will essentially disappear deck is aligned with marks on below... One using screws or nails length of the canoe lines on the hull too long, file down to. Dark stained gunwales and seats you will have to do any kerf joinery to wooden!, been using it for years screw against bit and aligning the countersink with new... They are glued, you can install the new rails boat up to cruising,!