Paul and I have tapered the outside gunnels and now we are going to epoxy them on. The first step is to cut off the excess gunnel.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outside-gunnels-1.jpg)
Cutting off the excess.
Having cut off the excess, we dry fit the gunnels and use a clamping jig to keep the gunnels aligned at the stems.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-1.jpg)
Dry fit of the gunnels. I draw on “witness marks” for easier assembly after epoxying.
I have cut two wedges to be able to clamp the gunnels tight to the stem. A third clamp keeps the gunnels on the same level as the top of the stem. I will use wax paper to keep the clamping blocks from sticking.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-6.jpg)
Paul paints the gunnels with epoxy resin first, giving it some time to soak in.
With the hull sanded, We expect to get a good bond between the gunnels and the hull. Paul paints the canoe at the shear-line with epoxy resin.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-5.jpg)
Ready to clamp on the gunnels.
We begin clamping. Paul holds the gunnel in place while I clamp. The goal is to get a little epoxy “squeeze-out”. The 2½” clamps only fit near the stems where the gunnel is tapered.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-7.jpg)
Many Clamps later….
You can see a few runs. We are going to turn the canoe over so the drips will not run down the hull…
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-8.jpg)
Upside down.
At this point, Paul and I decide to give the canoe one more coat of epoxy…a finish coat to get rid of the “runs”.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-9.jpg)
Close-up of the stem clamps.
The two gunnels are aligned at the stems.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-10.jpg)
Rolling on the “Finish” coat.
Paul and I roll on the finish coat. We go over the hull many times. We are trying for a very “thin” coat.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-13.jpg)
Brushing out the bubbles.
We go over the hull with a brush, taking out (popping) any bubbles the rollers leave. We go over the hull many times, looking for “holidays” (missed spots) or runs.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-15.jpg)
Finish coat done.
Now it is time to cure.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-17.jpg)
The next morning.
I take off all of the clamps to see what she looks like.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-19.jpg)
I flip the hull over to have a look.
Overhead shot.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-20.jpg)
Looks good!!!
I flip the hull back upside down and begin to fill any gaps between the hull and the gunnels.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-23.jpg)
Chasing bubbles.
Were ever there is a gap, I get some bubbles as the epoxy fills the gap.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-24.jpg)
Time to let the epoxy cure.
After chasing bubbles for half and hour….it is time to let the epoxy cure.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-25.jpg)
“Poxy curing.
Tonight when Paul gets home, we will round-over the gunnels, sand the shear-line flat, put on the decks and then give them all a final epoxy sealing coat.
![](http://www.urbanoarsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Outer-gunnels-26.jpg)
Almost ready to go……42 lbs.