Caulk panel ?
 

78 wellcraft, the big panel in the middle that's screwed down I removed the caulk but my question is this
Do I or should I caulk it or the screws are good enough

The fuel tank hatch MUST be sealed.

Ok thanks, do you ever remove it? To look under so I should caulk it, that's what I always did but was thinking do I have to?
Thanks

Yes, Looked in there every year, inspect tank and hoses and foam, cleaned then sealed.

On most of the V20 models and years, that is a dry space. There is a pvc pipe running under the aluminum fuel tank to pass water from fwd bilge to aft blge.
That space does not drain to the bilge so you have to seal it. otherwise the water sits on top of the foam around the tank, some leaks down and corrodes the tank.

Use Window & Gutter silicone or 4000UV to seal. DO NOT USE 5200 or 4200 they are nearly impossible to remove

I'm not sure of the 1978 models. They did not have overboard deck drains and maybe didn't have foam around tank? They might have had saddle tanks???

Thanks skunk I have a 55 gallon belly tank ( plastic) my original tank leaked years ago and was replaced.

I have a 78 cuddy, and still have the original 46 gallon aluminum tank, and it is foamed in. It will probably be the catalyst for a repower and transom rebuild down the road. A short Michigan season probably extends boat life, but a gas leak can't be too far out (?).

Duke are you going to do the transom yourself? Or are you going to have a repair shop do it? I dread the day when I have to do it.
78 Steplift my brother, great boat isn't it.

Hey Step, my plan is to do the transom rebuild myself. It was redone once before by the previous owner, but a crack developed between the transom and splash well that he did not address. I suspect everything below the crack is now saturated. But, it is still solid. I am hoping not to do anything quite elaborate as what Skunkboat did. The old tank is going to be a challenge too. I love the boat. Since it is an old fishing boat I was able to drill all the necessary holes for rod holders, downriggers and planer board masts. Hopefully, I will start using it more since a retired last year.

Duke, it's a great vessel. I would never sell her but if I did it wouldn't be to buy another boat . But I retired 4 years ago and want to use my boat a lot more but for some reason I'm not,but this year will be my year . I installed my batterys today checked my bilge,lights and horn and they all work so next step is yo start her up. I will let you know how that goes. Hearing her start the first time is like music to my ears
Duke I fish in raritan bay How about you?

Yes, spring start up is always exciting. I typically have fished in western Lake Erie for walleye, but this summer we will be based in northern Lake Huron near Cheboygan. Salmon fishing is pretty good in the area. I troll with a 9.8 Tohatsu 4 stroke, which is my back up motor to get me home if needed. I carry two extra 3 gallon gas cans as ballast in the cuddy. The old merc makes me nervous, but has never stalled or let me down yet.