The next day, I started installing the gunwale rails. This was no easy task, believe me! But with considerable effort and a 3 foot chunk of 2 x 4 to use as a "persuader", I managed to get the aft two rail pieces installed fairly early that morning.

Thankfully, I had actually planned ahead fairly well and cut angles on the forward end of the aft rails and the aft end of the forward rails so that the spot where they meet on each side doesn't look too shabby at all!

After considerable hammering with my trusty chunk of 2 x 4 and more than a little cussing while I was bending the forward rails around the bends in the bow, I got the job done after dark that day!

Not a bad job if I do say so myself. It was April 14, 1999. Now on to the next part of the project. The part that took money out of my pocket....