To further confuse, Merriam-Webster says "gunwale", not "gunwhale"

Gunwale: fthe upper edge of a ship's or boat's side.
Wale: Any of a number of strakes usually of extra thick and strong planks in
the sides of a wooden ship - usually used in plural.

"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
...


Gary Warner wrote:
Ok, in another thread a question I always have
came up. Someone was helpful and corrected me
from "gunnel" to "gunwhale".

So, what IS a gunwhale?

The correct spelling is "gunwhale," which over the years (centuries?)
has come to be pronounced "gun'l." So it's easy to see why, if you've
only heard it spoken, you'd think it was spelled "gunnel."

"Forecastle" is another one that can be confusing because it's been
shortened when spoken to "foc'sl."

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html