Information About

Gunwale




''Wale'' is the same word as the skin injury, a '' Weal '', which, too, forms a ridge. Originally the gunwale was the " Gun ridge" on a Sailing Warship . This represented the strengthening wale or structural band added to the design of the ship, at and above the level of a Gun Deck . It was designed to accommodate the stresses imposed by the use of Artillery .

In wooden boats, the gunwale remained, mounted inboard of the Sheer Strake , regardless of the use of gunnery. In modern boats, it is the top edge of the side where there is usually some form of stiffening.

On a Canoe , the gunwale is typically the widened edge at the top of the side of the boat, where the edge is reinforced with Wood , Plastic or Aluminum .

On a Rowing Boat (especially in Sports ), the gunwale is sometimes referred to as the '' Saxboard ''.