Once the new gunnels are in, and the rotted out top of the transom is repaired, the ends of the gunnels can be trimmed flush to the transom. A Japanese "Dozuki" saw works great for this as you can use the transom itself as a guide. These saws cut very fast and you can often have the cut finished by the time you get a power saw set up and ready to start.

Not only did the gunnels need to be replaced on this canoe, but many of the ribs ends needed to be replaced. The deck needed replacing, too!