Gunnel repair question

[pelican]

Originally Posted by DonV

I'm backed in a corner on my gunnels, I really have to do it this year....especially the port side. I'm guessing one of the previous owners never heard of 5200, I mean why drill a giant hole to mount a fricking drink holder and not seal it?? I'm 90% sure I'm going through the top. I plan on using Kiwigrip so I don't think the fairing has to be dead perfect like I tried to accomplish when I did the transom.

sealing something down and using 3 m 5200,isn't the best approach to assure the gunnel's sealed - water will enter the core from below,as well...
the hole needs to be coated in epoxy,this will seal the wood against water migration...

another thing that i've ran into on various client's boats,is the fact people can't grasp the concept,of installing rod holders in the gunnels -these holes need to be drilled at the correct angle - seems alot of people just drill a large hole and butcher it to make the rod holder fit - lost count of this method of installation i've seen...


going the "top" route to recore gunnels:

not much "skin" on the underside of the gunnels - it's much easier to go from below,versus above -using a composite material is definatley the way to go...

but...if your weight,body weight and size,is making that a problem,perhaps putting the fork down,and getting a little exercize,for a few months before beginning this repair would help ?

refinishing the gunnels after recoring : best method is rolling awlgrip...