I purchased a new Wilderness canoe in May. A couple weeks after bringing it home, a storm hit our area and the building the canoe was stored in suffered wind damage as well as did my canoe. The doors of the building fell on top of the canoe. The only damage to the canoe was to the top right side, bending the aluminum trim. I would like to straighten this if possible, but do not know how to go about it.
I took the canoe to a local car repair shop and was told that they could attempt heating the aluminum and try to straighten it, but I was worried it could melt the Kevlar and I would have more problems than what I already have.

Anyone have an idea how I could possibly fix this?

The damage to the canoe has not affected the way the canoe handles. Still paddles great and I am really happy that I made the purchase, but sick about the damage that was done by the storm.

Thanks for any ideas you might have.

I would call the manufacturer and see what they recommend to do.

Dennisal, I would call the good folks at Northwest Canoe and get their advice. Probably you will want to remove and replace the one gunwale.

a long piece of wood and some C clamps to get it back in shape would be a start. do you know anyone who can weld aluminum? id go that route before looking for replacement.

I would not heat it, man that whole exchange gives me shivers, run away, run fast!

Like it says above you may have to install a new gunwale but I'd be tempted to remove it and try to straiten it while off the hull, then reinstall.

I'm sure someone here will know, can't be a rare issue.

Once those gunnels bend and kink, it's almost impossible to get them "bent" back into shape. I have tried the long piece of wood and clamp technique with limited success on "non-kinked" ones. Best bet is to replace it.

ok, i suck i guess

replacing the gunwales is probably the best option. Call Wenonah and check on pricing. You could upgrade to wood gunwales if you want of go continue with the aluminium. The process is pretty basic, you will need a drill to drill out the old rivets. Once the rivets are out, take off the old gunwale, slide the new one on (tedious and takes some time), drill new holes, and rivet.

You could also take the canoe to Wenonah or other repair shop, and they might be able to bend it back.

Thanks everyone for the good ideas.

And suddenly these wenonah gunwales popped up on the Lacrosse, WI craigslist!

I have never replaced a gunwale but I have worked with metal all my life at work. It is very hard to make metal straight again. I would go with the total replacement of both so they match. How cool is a set came up on craigslist.

quote unshavenman: "Dennisal, I would call the good folks at Northwest Canoe and get their advice. Probably you will want to remove and replace the one gunwale."

+1

Give them a call. Very very knowledgeable people. NWC

Gunwales are not that hard to change. Check with Tyler at Rutabaga in Madison. Call him for prices but I did a mad river for under $300 complete with seats.

If it were mine my first thought would be to remove the plastic end-cap which probably will reveal a hollow-ended gunwale. I would then cut a piece of wood slightly smaller in diameter than the inside of the gunwale, grease it up with axle grease, and tap it down in the inside with a rubber mallet until it reshaped the gunwale from the inside out. I'd try that first and if I didn't like the results I'd look into having it professionally replaced. I think you could fix it yourself though!

Thanks everyone. I checked with Rutabaga where I bought the canoe. The repair guy thought your ideas were good ones, but said that I probably would be more pleased with the results if I replaced the gunwale with a new one. They can do the repairs for $55.00 an hour plus parts. The wait time for them to do this would be 4-6 weeks.
Thanks everyone for your help.

I put Wenonah gunwales on my Wilderness. I also had to get Wenonah endcaps. Partly because SR changed their end caps (mine is a '95) partly because they fit the grooves of the wenonah gunwales better. The folks at Wenonah are great to work with and will help you out regardless of the manufacturer. Shipping of gunwales can be a lot since they have to go freight. If you drive to Winona to pick them up, make sure you have some type of brace to attach them to. I had a long 2x4. They (wenonah) said you would be surprised at how many people come with nothing to strap them on to. Other than that, it's just rivets. Get a air rivet gun. I used one from Harbor Freight that would jam every 4th rivet, but for $35 it was worth it.

Bobs

I'd say Rutabaga is worth the price, given the time investment, driving/freight involved, tool rental, etc. Take it to a pro and borrow a boat for a month.

quote Beaverjack: "I'd say Rutabaga is worth the price, given the time investment, driving/freight involved, tool rental, etc. Take it to a pro and borrow a boat for a month."

On a new boat like this, I am leaning towards doing this.
I have been told that it is easy to do (including Tyler from Rutabaga), but easy for me is washing the canoe when I am done paddling for the day. Drilling holes in the side might not be my calling.

talk with maker, get name of person in waranty area, send email and story, perhaps you can get good replacement price on gunnel from them. Pay to have it fixed if you dont want to hassle with it. Likely you could bend it back, or mostly, but the metal is weak there, and a big stress event will just bend it again in the same place.

Another option... check with one of the outfitters. Most of them have someone who does canoe repair. Maybe they would have suggestions for you. That's a major bummer :(

So,I talked to Nate at Wenonah. He did not see that the bend was too severe and that I could try and bend it but not to force it since it is a weak spot now. As long as it does not bother when paddling he suggested to leave as is. I guess it is just the looks of it that bugs me. Thanks everyone for the ideas.

Maybe your canoe or homeowner policy could provide some money for you towards fixing the boat.

Tomster

hmmm. I couldn't ignore, nor, not fix it. My eye would go to it each and every time. I would have to press it out or change gunwale out.
no rush, tho. take some time, weigh opinions and options carefully. scrimp & save.
then, the elimination of bend!

Got it fixed. I am a happy camper (or canoer) now.
Thanks everyone for the advice given.