: I scratched the deck of my kayak at a dock yesterday so am never
: going near another one! This thing had a step down with razor
: sharp angle iron (aluminum) underneath, just out of sight.
: The refinish/ replace would sure be something to consider for a
: harder user, but probably not a concern in our case.
: Thanks Dave.

If you're going to screw them on they should be bedded. Use a marine grade betting compound to seal the outwale where it rests on the canoe's side, otherwise you'll trap dirt behind them eventually and when wet it'll cause dirty streaks in the paint. Also using bedding compound will allow the outwales to be fairly easily removed later on, some caulks could be used but they turn into glue eventually making removal difficult.

http://www.reddenmarine.com/marine-supplies.cfm/sealants-bedding-compound/pettit-paint-2005w8/2005w-dolfinite-bedding-compound-pint.html

Btw, plugs over screws are best put in with varnish as an adhesive, but watered down Titebond works too, allows them to be fairly easily removed later on without splintering the outwale. Plug cutters make plugs easy that match the wood exactly, just cut the wood for the outwales a little long and use the tails to cut the wood for the plugs.

Bill H