Gunwale waterproof requirements

[Bugzilla46310]

How important is having the gunwale waterproof? The seams on the original material on my 1998 Sylvan have about an 1/8” gap where they meet. I was planning on caulking them but then you look at the framing around the gunwale, and it doesn’t look all that leak proof so any water that gets on the top of the gunwale would still get to the sub surface. I’ll probably caulk the seams just for aesthetics if nothing else. Would it be worth caulking the inner and outer perimeters of the framing also? Don’t have any photos right now. Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Aluminum boats generally were not caulked because that would cost money raising the price and the floor isn't required structurally like it is in a fiberglass boat.

I would caulk it