Common Projects and Questions

How do I replace bench-style wood canoe seats?

Replacing worn canoe seats is straightforward with universal bench-style wood seats, requiring about 30 minutes and basic hand tools. Follow these steps: 

1. Choose Full Seat Replacement: Opt for a complete seat rather than just replacing the cane, as it’s more time- and cost-effective. 
2. Replace Both Seats in Tandem Canoes: For a consistent look, replace both seats at once, as wood ages similarly, and a second seat may fail soon after the first. 
3. Mark and Cut: 
   • Remove the old seat and place it centered on the new seat. 
   • Mark for cutting and drilling, using the old seat as a template if it fits well (no ruler needed). 
   • Start with the bow seat, as the stern is narrower, allowing you to repurpose any mistakes for the stern.

Protect the Seat: Apply Watco Danish Oil to the exposed end grain to extend the new seat’s lifespan.

Why replace now?
Don’t wait for a failure on the water. Replace seats promptly to ensure your canoe is ready for your next adventure.

Need more guidance?
Schedule a DIY Consultation HERE.

What items do I need to refinish my canoe’s hull?

• Painter’s Tape 
• 80-grit Sandpaper 
• Wide foam brush 
• Ultra-fine bristle stain/varnish brush 
• Acetone 
• MAS LV Resin and MAS Slow Hardener Shop here
• Epifanes Marine Varnish and Epifanes Brush Thinner Shop here

How much varnish should I buy to varnish my canoe’s hull?
For two coats: 

• Epifanes Marine Varnish: 1 quart 
• Epifanes Brush Thinner: 1 pint

How much resin and hardener should I buy for one coat on my canoe?You have two options: 

• Bottom-only (football or diamond shape at the waterline): For two coats, use 1 quart of MAS LV Resin and 1 MAS Slow Hardener. 
• Full hull (gunwale to gunwale): For multiple coats, choose a half-gallon of MAS LV Resin and the appropriate MAS Slow Hardener.

Why do I need to apply varnish over my resin coat?
Epifanes Marine Varnish provides UV protection, preventing the MAS LV Resin from weakening or chipping due to sun exposure. Applying multiple coats of varnish increases UV protection.

Need more guidance?
Schedule a DIY Consultation HERE.

How do I start a gunwale replacement project?
Contact or visit our location to source full-length wood or aluminum gunwales compatible with most canoe brands, along with stainless hardware. For non-local customers, consider our Ash Knockdown Gunwale Kit for shipping.

What are the steps for replacing gunwales?

1. Mark Component Placement: Before removing old gunwales, mark and measure the positions of seats, thwarts, portage yokes, and other components. Create a diagram by measuring from the bow stem to the bow carry handle, front edge of the bow seat, bow thwart, and yoke, and from the stern to the front edge of the stern seat. 
2. Remove Old Gunwales: Detach the gunwales and save components (e.g., seats, thwarts) for reference, even if replacing damaged ones. 
3. Clean the Canoe: Remove dirt or residue with detergent and a fine scrub pad. Trim stray fiberglass or Kevlar threads and file rough edges for a smooth surface. 
4. Prepare New Gunwales: Finish-sand the new gunwales and apply two coats of Watco Danish Oil for protection.

Need more guidance?
Schedule a DIY Consultation HERE.

What is the difference between Kerf and Standard Round Over Gunwales?

• Kerf Gunwales: Feature a notched design for easier bending and fitting to the canoe’s curves. 
• Standard Round Over Gunwales: Have a smooth, rounded edge for a classic look, less flexible than kerf.

What size screws do I need for installing Ash Gunwales?

• Kerf Gunwales: 1 1/4” screws 
• Round Over Gunwales: 1 1/2” screws

What product should I use to maintain my Ash Gunwales?
Use Watco Danish Oil for maintenance. Shop here. 

What supplies do I need to install Ash Gunwales?

• Gunwales: Ash Round Over Gunwales
• Yoke: Portage Yoke (Tandem)
• Thwart: Canoe Thwart
• Handles: Canoe Carry Handles
• Seats: Standard Canoe Seat
• Seat Hangers: Seat Hangers
• Bolt Assemblies: Bolt Assemblies
• Installation Kit: Gunwale Hardware Kit
• Tools: Tapered bit with countersink

Need more guidance?
Schedule a DIY Consultation HERE.

Will Aluminum Gunwales fit my canoe?
Aluminum gunwales are compatible with canoes that have a hull thickness of 1/8” or less. If the hull is thicker than 1/8”, use vinyl gunwales or standard round over ash gunwales instead.

What supplies do I need to install Vinyl Gunwales?

• Vinyl Gunwales: Full-length gunwales are available for pickup only. For shipping, consider the Ash Knockdown Kit. Shop Vinyl Gunwales
• End Caps: Shop End Caps
• Yoke: Portage Yoke (Tandem)
• Thwart: Canoe Thwart
• Handles: Canoe Carry Handles
• Seats: Standard Canoe Seat
• Seat Hangers: Canoe Seat Hangers
• Rivets: 80 x 3/4" rivets Shop Rivets
• Hardware: 
  • Eight 6" bolt assemblies 
  • Eight 3" bolt assemblies Shop Bolt Assemblies

What supplies do I need to install Aluminum Gunwales?

• Tools: 3/16” drill bit, rivet gun 
• Rivets: 80 x 3/4" rivets Shop Rivets
• Aluminum Tubing for Components: Shop Aluminum Tubing
• End Caps: Shop End Caps
• Yoke Brackets: Shop Yoke Brackets
• Aluminum Seat Hangers: Shop Aluminum Seat Hangers

Need more guidance?
Schedule a DIY Consultation HERE.

When should I apply Kevlar skid plates to my canoe?

Apply Kevlar skid plates when the stems of your canoe show wear from scraping over shoals or shallows: 

• Royalex/T-Formex Canoes (Vinyl-ABS-Foam Hull): Install skid plates when the lighter-colored ABS material or foam core becomes visible. 
• Kevlar, Fiberglass, or High-Tech Composite Hulls: Add skid plates when the fabric on the bow or stern is exposed.

Why add Kevlar skid plates?
Kevlar skid plates extend the life of your canoe by protecting worn stems, with minimal impact on weight and performance.

Which Northwest Canoe skid plate kit is best for my canoe?

Canoe shape, condition, and hull material vary, so selecting the right skid plate kit depends on your canoe’s needs. Northwest Canoe offers three kits tailored to different canoes and wear patterns:

• Livery Tough Canoe Skid Plate Kit: Ideal for heavily used canoes with broad entries and significant hull damage. Features a large 44” x 7” Kevlar felt, tapering to 2” at the waterline. Best for rugged canoes, but may be oversized for sleek solo models like the Magic or Prism. 
• Solo/Composite Skid Plate Kit: Designed for sleeker tandem canoes and most solo canoes with finer entry lines. Includes a 32” x 3” Kevlar felt to cover typical wear areas while maintaining a streamlined profile. 
• Tandem/Universal Skid Plate Kit: Our most popular option, suitable for most tandem canoes and some wider-nosed Royalex solo canoes. Comes with a 38” x 5” Kevlar felt for versatile coverage.

Will these kits work with my canoe’s hull material?
Yes, the resin systems in all kits are compatible with ABS and composite hulls (e.g., Kevlar, fiberglass). Each kit’s resin is tailored to the size of its Kevlar felt for optimal application. 

Can I use these kits on kayaks?
Yes, our skid plate kits are suitable for ABS or composite kayaks. You may need to trim the Kevlar felt to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing shape for your kayak. 

Need more guidance?
Schedule a DIY Consultation HERE.