Thanks for the comment about possibly stressing the boat, Myrl. I did a little more sanding last night and they slip in much more easily but the fit still looks just as good. I just needed to take a little more wood off on the angle underneath. I feel a lot better about it now.

Thanks, too, for the warning about the epoxy making the gunnels slippery. I can see that it's going to take more hands than I have to get it in place without making a mess. Maybe I'll dry fit them one more time and hotglue some positioning blocks in place below the gunnels. That should simplify things considerably.

I'm trying to think of anything else that needs to be done BEFORE the gunnels are glued in. I'm fully sanded inside and out. I'll shape and fit my decks after gluing in the gunnels. I'm going to drill the holes for seats, yoke, etc. while the gunnels are in place. Then I'll round the corners and epoxy the remaining 3 surfaces - again while in place. It seems like all other fitting can be done with them in place. Can you think of anything else I should think about or do before gluing them in?

Yeah, I feel like I'm getting close. The canoe is feeling heavier and heavier though. To be expected as I add all that hardwood, but I hope it doesn't get too bad.

Patsy