Deck To Hull Joint

[ggooch]

Part of my plan for my 1982 Mac 25 is evaluating if I have any leaks in the deck to hull joint. My research tells me that I need to remove the rubber from the rub rail to access the through bolts for this. Two questions about this, at the stern of the boat the rubber leaves about an 18" gap. The fasteners here are most definitely phillips head screws of some type. I was expecting to see some type of hex head bolt. Am I wrong? Second, on the interior there is a piece of wooden trim that appears to run in the same place as the rub rail. If I remove this will I find the nuts?

Thanks,
Geoff

[ChockFullOnuts22]

Evaluating leaks at this joint is easier than taking things apart. Just get a regular garden hose and spay water upward at the bottom of the rub rail/hull joint. If there is a leak there, you will see water inside the boat---not necessarily a lot, but at least some spray-by. Otherwise, you'll find out if you have leaks if/when you sail with the boat heeled over far enough that your rub rail is in the water. Leaks of this type are usually fairly minor, an more of an annoyance than a serious concern.

The interior wood trim probably does cover the small nuts that the rub rail screws/bolts thread into to hold the deck and hull together. That's the way it is on my V2-22.

[JoeVacs]

... and yes, they are #8 stainless bolts ( Phillips head), and nuts. Approximately every 6 inches. The gap is because the rubrail plastic shrinks up after several years.