Maintaining Wood Canoe Gunwales

Wood gunwales are more than just beautiful trim on your canoe – they're crucial structural components that protect your hull and provide essential rigidity. All of that gorgeous wood is constantly exposed to sun, water, and weather and needs regular maintenance to prevent damage and maximize its life. In this guide, I'll walk you through the complete process of maintaining your canoe's wood gunwales, from inspection to finishing.

Before starting, gather these materials:

• 100 and 220-grit sandpaper with a firm foam sanding block

• Tack cloth or clean rags for cleaning

• WATCO Exterior Wood Finish 

• Low odor mineral spirits

• 2-inch green or blue painters’ tape

• Natural bristle brush

• Protective gear: gloves, eye protection, and a respirator or dust mask

• Heavy paper towels or clean rags

• Shop Vac (if working indoors)

Start with a thorough inspection of your gunwales. Run your hand along the entire length, feeling for rough spots, splinters, or soft areas. Pay special attention to the underside and ends of the gunwales and bow and stern decks. These areas can collect water when stored upside down and are prone to rot and water damage. 

Look for:

• Dark spots indicating water damage

• Splits in the wood

• Heavy mildew

• Loose fasteners

• Grey wood

Even if you don't find major issues requiring repairs, your gunwales might still need maintenance. For example, my Northstar Phoenix gunwales are in great shape after a full season of service and outdoor storage under a WeatherMax 3D Original Canoe Cover, but they still need routine annual maintenance to protect them during the next paddling season.

How could I tell?

1. Reduced water resistance: Water no longer beads up when they get wet.

2. Appearance: They look slightly dull and dry and had very light mildew where the gunwales rest against the rack arms where the canoe is stored, outdoors.

3. Time: It has been a year since they were given a full oiling.

Choose a well-ventilated work area with temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and low humidity. Position your canoe at a comfortable working height using padded sawhorses, proper canoe stand, or your backyard picnic table.

For annual maintenance, I like to remove the thwarts, yoke, seats, and seat hangers. This allows complete access to all parts of the gunwales and provides an opportunity to maintain these components as well. Keep track of exactly what hardware comes from which part of the boat so that everything goes back together smoothly.

Start with 100-grit sandpaper on your foam sanding block, working in the direction of the wood grain with steady, even pressure. This step removes mildew, dirt, scuffs, and splinters while opening the wood's pores for better oil penetration. If you find deeply weathered, grey or soft wood during this process, your gunwales might need more extensive repairs than routine maintenance.

After the initial sanding, clean thoroughly with a tack cloth, then progress to 220-grit for a final light sanding. This creates an ideal surface for the oil finish while maintaining open pores for good penetration. Sanding with a higher, finer grit can polish the surface of the wood and close the pores, reducing penetration of the oil.

Vacuum and wipe with a tack rag again, then give everything a final wipe with mineral spirits to ensure perfect cleaning and enhance oil penetration.

Plan on refinishing your wood gunwales annually, typically in spring before the paddling season begins. For mid or late-season touch-ups, a light sanding with 220-grit paper and a single coat of oil can carry you through until the next annual treatment.

Proper wood gunwale maintenance isn't just about aesthetics – it's about protecting your investment and ensuring your canoe stays seaworthy for years to come. Take your time with the prep work, use the right materials, and stay ahead of weathering and rot. Your canoe and its wood gunwales will reward you with many years of reliable service!