I’m restoring a Malecite that needed all new gunwales, seats and decks. I’ve kept the grab handles to keep something other than just the hull. I’ve cleaned the hull and glued and prepped the gunnels from Ed’s and before I install them I have a question. The bow foam looks good and tight but the stern has almost an inch of separation from the hull at the tops. I’m wondering if as a last step once the gunnels are on and before I install the deck would it be a good idea to put a small amount of expanding foam in there to close it up and keep anything from getting in there. I’ll add a photo to show the stern.
I’d be careful about using expanding foam. It can exert a lot of pressure and can split apart seams. A non-expanding sealant would be safer.
Good point. Thanks.