Replacement for Sitka gunwales

[Old Fred]

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.

[Old Fred]

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.

[Old Fred]

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.

[noquiklos]

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

[noquiklos]

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

[noquiklos]

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

[Todd Bradshaw]

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.

[Todd Bradshaw]

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.

[Todd Bradshaw]

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.