MapisM
Well-known member
B, the point Vas and Deleted User are making is indeed valid, so you might well let the yard replicate the original Canados construction, enjoy the result, and be done with it.
That said, my personal view is that Canados privileged form over function, back in the days when BA was built.
In fact, they were surely aware that any sort of sealed/boxed construction in principle should always be avoided in a wooden boat - the reason being precisely the one that you experienced, i.e. wood rotting, particularly due to fresh water.
But, and it's a big but, the boxed gunwale that you have on BA, with its smooth surface on both sides, is MUCH more elegant than the traditional wooden gunwale construction, which is the one I had in my old lady (see pic in post #829), and which isn't much different from what you see in the following pic of yours, without the internal panels:
In fact, from a functional/structural standpoint, there is absolutely no need to have the internal panel enclosing the wooden bones in a box which - one way or another - is bound to become a water trap of some sort.
Otoh, even if you imagine the gunwale as is in the above pic, but nicely finished and painted, it's rather obvious that it will never be anywhere near as elegant as the one originally made by Canados...
Bottom line, form suggests the original Canados solution, and function suggests the fully open gunwale.
A boxed but ventilated gunwale (where air can flow inside each boxed section and water/moisture can drain out) would probably make a relevant difference in durability.
I mean, if the sealed boxes can last say 20 years, ventilated ones can probably last 50% longer, vs. the double or more of the traditional (fully open) construction.
Now, if you think it's worth the hassle, how and where to create these vent/drain openings is something difficult to suggest based on the pics, but the yard should be able to advise.
In principle, I believe it would make sense to have drains in any lower points of the enclosed boxes, because neither water nor moisture as such are the killers of wood - their stagnation is.
So, what you want to avoid is leaving any point where water dripping along the inner parts of the panels (btw, GRP panels are bound to attract more moisture than wooden panels) remains trapped forever...
...But that's easier said than done, I'm afraid!
That said, my personal view is that Canados privileged form over function, back in the days when BA was built.
In fact, they were surely aware that any sort of sealed/boxed construction in principle should always be avoided in a wooden boat - the reason being precisely the one that you experienced, i.e. wood rotting, particularly due to fresh water.
But, and it's a big but, the boxed gunwale that you have on BA, with its smooth surface on both sides, is MUCH more elegant than the traditional wooden gunwale construction, which is the one I had in my old lady (see pic in post #829), and which isn't much different from what you see in the following pic of yours, without the internal panels:
In fact, from a functional/structural standpoint, there is absolutely no need to have the internal panel enclosing the wooden bones in a box which - one way or another - is bound to become a water trap of some sort.
Otoh, even if you imagine the gunwale as is in the above pic, but nicely finished and painted, it's rather obvious that it will never be anywhere near as elegant as the one originally made by Canados...
Bottom line, form suggests the original Canados solution, and function suggests the fully open gunwale.
A boxed but ventilated gunwale (where air can flow inside each boxed section and water/moisture can drain out) would probably make a relevant difference in durability.
I mean, if the sealed boxes can last say 20 years, ventilated ones can probably last 50% longer, vs. the double or more of the traditional (fully open) construction.
Now, if you think it's worth the hassle, how and where to create these vent/drain openings is something difficult to suggest based on the pics, but the yard should be able to advise.
In principle, I believe it would make sense to have drains in any lower points of the enclosed boxes, because neither water nor moisture as such are the killers of wood - their stagnation is.
So, what you want to avoid is leaving any point where water dripping along the inner parts of the panels (btw, GRP panels are bound to attract more moisture than wooden panels) remains trapped forever...
...But that's easier said than done, I'm afraid!
Last edited:
ship - but a neighbours perhaps when visiting and it’s windy - different size boats freeboard wise and his higher fenders press on your “ new “ gunwales -any flexing gonna bust any seals = water ingress / stagnation.
