Little Arkansas Traveler, Wood gunwale rails?

64osby

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Going to look at this tomorrow.

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Pretty sure it's a 50's Arkansas Traveler.

Familiar with Tinny's and how to clean them up, seal hull and replace the transom.

The big question I have is about the wood supporting the gunwale. From what I can gather researching the web there are 3 - 1/2" bands, 1 outside and 2 inside to give structure.

What wood would be good to use to replace it? Is there an inexpensive wood that could work?

What other products might also work? Aluminum or ?


I know some will say teak, this one was done with white oak.
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Looking for budget minded ideas. Thanks
 

64osby

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Re: Little Arkansas Traveler, Wood gunwale rails?

Would Aluminum rub rail trim provide enough support?
 

Woodonglass

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Re: Little Arkansas Traveler, Wood gunwale rails?

Redwood (Kinda soft) or Mahogany ( a bit pricey but you don't need that much) would be good candidates. You could do the seats and bumps for $100 bucks or less. White oak would be good to. Heck you could even use Southern Yellow Pine. They all are used in the wooden boat industry.
 

64osby

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Re: Little Arkansas Traveler, Wood gunwale rails?

Thanks WG - I might have some southern yellow pine laying around.

I might have some douglas fir too. Would that be any good?

Both are old bleacher wood, some NOS, some used.
 

Woodonglass

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Re: Little Arkansas Traveler, Wood gunwale rails?

Yep Doug Fir is good too! Lot's of resin. If you apply some Boiled Linseed oil mixed with 50% Mineral Spirits to the wood to it 2-3 coats. let it dry for a day then stain it with oil based stain again thin the first coat 50% and then two coats full strength. and then 2-3 coats of Marine Varnish she'll shine like a New Penney!!!! When I was a young man I worked at a Marina and did a lot of wood restoring on the older boats that had Mahogany seats and rails like that. The old codger I worked for taught me a lot about sealing the wood and making it shine. The BLO has a lot of solids in it and really seals the pores of the wood but still allows the stain to penetrate.
 

kfa4303

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Re: Little Arkansas Traveler, Wood gunwale rails?

Congrats on the new toy. It's shiny! Good to have another AT owner around to. I was gonna suggest oak trim too, simply because it bends easily and is fairly inexpensive, but teak would be nice. Here's a bit of info on AT's to hold you over (looks like you may have a '55ish).

Arkansas traveler - Classic Boat Library
 

jbcurt00

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Re: Little Arkansas Traveler, Wood gunwale rails?

Ash is often used as well.
 

64osby

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Re: Little Arkansas Traveler, Wood gunwale rails?

Don't jump the gun I'm going to look at it tomorrow. Just getting info and ideas to see how this could be fixed up.
 
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