Has anyone the caulked the black rub rail that covers the top/bottom hull seam

[Rs97Mac26X]

Have read where some on here believe that may be where they are getting some rain water entering. If you have, what did you use to caulk it with and did you do both topside and underside?
Thanks in advance!
Ronnie

 

[LLoyd B]

Years ago after putting the boat away after a long summer weekend I got back into the boat after the next weekend to retrieve a tool that I'd left in the boat instead of putting it away in my work truck. I found enough water in the boat to think that I had left the hatch open again but the tie straps were still on the tarp holding it down which I had expected to ensure a dry cabin. Further research led me to the discovery that every bracket, brace, cup holder & whatnot has has turned the upper shiny surface of my fiberglass sailboat into a sieve because stainless steel screws had disguised the capillary action when not backed up by butyl tape.

 

[rettop]

yes, 3M marine sealant. Also stripped off rub rail and sealed around screws holding the aluminum rail to the hull. solved most of the leaks, but it is a bit of a wack-a-mole to keep deck hardware from leaking.