Hi everyone. Since I have changed my old rigging to two masts balanced lugger sails last year, I found there was some strain at bow when under sail, where main sail thwart is positionned. Not because the sail area is so big, it's surface is 50 sf., but because the mast is much at front of the canoe and causes bow to twist. I was partly scared that by strong gale it may break gunnels, damage canoe, thus making people aboard in bad position, and, in worst case, sink the boat. Adding a second thwart reduced strain but not enough

So, this week after reading PKlonowski's topic no 532 in CSM about "BEEFING UP gunnells", I decided to do the job on my cedar canoe.

It was an easy job. Wooden pieces dimensions are: 13/16 in. thick and 1 ¼ in. wide. I installed them from the first actual canoe thwart, up to deck plate.

I used clamps to press wood to fit to canoe shape, drilled holes and used 2 inches No 8 stainless steel screews. Then I applied 2 coats of varnish to protect wood against weather.
Wooden pieces will stay there until May 2011, giving enough time to wood to fit. Then I will remove pieces and varnish them all over. Finally I will screew them back permenently to actual gunnels. See pics.

I will give feedback on that later as soon as I return from sailing.