Gunwale Repair

[Bmumz]

Hello everyone! I have a 16ft Old Town FG from 1967. As you can see in the photo, the gunwales are starting to separate from the hull. Any suggestions on how to get it nice and straight again? It does it sporadically along the gunwales. If more photos are needed please don't hesitate to ask!

Thank you,
Brian

 

[Benson Gray]

My guess is that you will need to use some thin boards and clamps to get it all straight again. Then you can add some new fiberglass and resin under the gunwale to get it to stay in shape. Good luck,

Benson

 

[Bmumz]

My guess is that you will need to use some thin boards and clamps to get it all straight again. Then you can add some new fiberglass and resin under the gunwale to get it to stay in shape. Good luck,

Benson

The fiberglass and resin would act as an adhesive? Would you suggest slightly heating the plastic as well?

 

[MGC]

Bensons suggestions should work to pull that in and reattach it. I'd probably use thickened G-Flex for the repair presuming that the bond does not need to "fill" space. G-Flex is easier to work with and will not harden as "brittle" as glass resin would if you don't mix it exactly right. Glass resin can cure really hot or not at all if you miss the mark.
G-Flex can be applied with a syringe.

 

[Bmumz]

Bensons suggestions should work to pull that in and reattach it. I'd probably use thickened G-Flex for the repair presuming that the bond does not need to "fill" space. G-Flex is easier to work with and will not harden as "brittle" as glass resin would if you don't mix it exactly right. Glass resin can cure really hot or not at all if you miss the mark.
G-Flex can be applied with a syringe.

Would you suggest the G-Flex 655?

G/flex 655 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive | WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

WEST SYSTEM's G/flex 655 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive bonds with Plastics, Metals, Glass, Masonry, and Fiberglass.

www.westsystem.com

 

[MGC]

Would you suggest the G-Flex 655?

G/flex 655 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive | WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

WEST SYSTEM's G/flex 655 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive bonds with Plastics, Metals, Glass, Masonry, and Fiberglass.

www.westsystem.com

Yes, use that. You will find that it is easier to use than fiberglass resin. If you end up with any runs, you can remove them before it reaches full cure. For that repair, I would orient the canoe on its side while making the repair. That would help to keep your adhesive where it needs to be.
During the original assembly process, fiberglass and resin were (as recommended by Benson) what was used to bond the extra bits to the hull. When I built kayaks, that was what we used to attach the hull half's, install the seat and the cowling. That was a long time ago. Industrial adhesives evolved and even cars can be assembled without fasteners now.
Good luck.