Removing Cap from 1978 23

[JW-Tex]

Previous owner used about 40 three inch deck screws (for use on wooden decks not boats) to hold the rub rail on. Every rusty screw head broke off leaving a fun little project to remove broken off screws from the hull. I will have good access to the back of the screws when I hoist the cap off. Any idea of the best way to remove these screws? Vice grips and go? If it breaks off from the back side I will have to try and drill out what is left. I thought about drilling very small holes around each screw to help it break loose if vice grips don't get them without breaking off.

I am open to any ideas? I could heat them with propane torch due to their length without hitting the glass if that would help.


Also the cap has a lot of gel coat stress cracks so I am planning on a couple of layers of 1708 on the underside to reinforce as well as new core material where applicable. Will the additional 1708 cause any problems when I reassemble (make the seam too large-stick out too far)?


Thanks