Crude Lapstrake Repairs

[Victor]

If a laptrake hull is leaking enough that it will eventually need some rebuilding, what about using screws, rivets or even little bolts in the worst areas to try to close the seams as a stopgap measure?

[imported_Conrad]

No screws- they won't pull down hard enough. But small bronze bolts with washers work.

[TimothyB]

If I were you, I would also make VERY sure that whatever was sealing the two strakes together, be it felt, canvas, or whatever, was intact before tightening down those bolts.

Get some butyl rubber strips and use them before you tighten down on a crumbling, wood/junk/wood connection. The rubber will form around the little imperfections if there is any rot or scoring and help seal the gaps.

[Jack Heinlen]

What is the boat, and what are the materials?