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hi chris, cracks in gelcoat are inevitable,they don't necessarily indicate damage to the laminate. the aluminum gunwales allow a little flexing and some stress risers can appear at the rivets, real helpful observations I know,but if you got a good deal, you got a good deal. I'm not sure of the specific type of cloth in the wenonah but it is advertised as a glass/polyester cloth so there's a lot of flexing that the hull can withstand without failure. You don't say whether it is a tuff-weave or foam core model but either way they're are very good designs and durable. The folks at mendocino canoe rentals leave theirs rising and falling with the tide on the rocks at the dock. Scratched all to hell,but serviceable for a long time.
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Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
