bow rail removal - allen key nuts @#$% !!!!

[abl1111]

I removed the bow rail on my boat to re-seat, clean and tighten. Those damn hex-head, allen key screws located on the "T" joints are all stripped and I want to remove them so I can put new ones in to tighten up the rail.

I tried to drill one out and almost went into the rail itself. Any ideas as to how to get these @#$%#@$ things out ! I cannot slide the the "T"'s off, due to these screws scratching the crap out of the rail. I thought that if I could get them off then I could attack the problem from both sides.

As an option has anyone drilled right through the s.s. rail and either used stainless rivets or screws to hold the rail together ?

Thx,

Alan