A little help.

[Sasquatch]

Okay, so not too long ago I did a dumb thing. I used cheap rope to tie a canoe into the back of a truck. Long story short, I now have a canoe with a distinct curve up and to the starboard. It's a polymer type boat with aluminum gunwales and supports. The aluminum gunwales are what is causing most of the bend due to their reshaping in the "incident". Any idea on how to fix this? Can it be straightened? Can I replace the gunwales with wood? I open to ideas, because the twisted shape makes the canoe a bit less than stable.

[DRIFTER]

........Not my area of expertise, but did you take off the bent parts to see if it would spring back into shape?


I don't see a problem replacing it with wood, but wait for someone a little more ,' in the know'.

[madmike]

I bet the problem is with the aluminum gunwales. If you can not un-bend them, you can order new aluminum pieces from most dealers. I have wood gunwales for boats up to 16'. Zip 13460

[charlie wilson]

Wood Rail Installation

Wood will be easier and will help fair the boat back to shape as well. If you can acquire the rails locally, and Essex Industries is in Mineville, they'll probably be less expensive. You can get thwarts and seat from Essex too. [essexindustries.com.]

If you'll email me at charliewilson610@adelphia.net, I'll send our installation protocol, which should save some time.

Before you do anything, take the time to get seat and thwart placement points by swinging arcs from the bow or stern to each placement. Make a little schematic sketch and do not loose it.

[kayakrski]

Not to hijack but Essex Industries make top of the line gunwales, right? I think Wenonah uses them too. It's nice to see a local biz making quality products.

Gregg

[Awetcanoe]

The proper addy for Essex is, http://www.essexindustries.org/