Cedar Canoe Gunwale Installation

[@bryanmccall3888]

Why do you put the inwales above the hull line?

[@timberboatworks]

The gunwales are used to protect and stiffen the sheer line, so by installing them to encapsulate the top of the cedar strips it will stop any chance of damage (portage, paddle strike, storage or transportation) and water penetration into the top of the cedar strip. It is also a much cleaner appearance and more similar to how ash gunwales are installed on manufactured kevlar and composite canoes (ie: Hellman Canoes, Swift Canoes, etc). Thank you for the question.