I was mulling over my decking project and it got me to thinking about something.  

As it stands, I am the happy owner of a non-leaking tracker (user name,,, duh).  I was wondering if anyone out there has found that all the flexing that goes on when ripping out the old and replacing with the new cause any new leaking.  I would guess that on a project like replacing the foam, adding storage, replacing decking, and recarpeting you could potentially loosen a few rivits or welds and thus making a leak free boat a dribble cup.

Anyone ever hear of such a thing?

Never really thought of it... all the boats I've been involved with a re-decking or major mods have been older boats that already leaked.  I guess it's possible on a rivited boat but I seriously doubt you'd do it to a welded boat.  I would imagine you'd have to be pretty rough on a non-leaker to turn it into a leaker.  A little planning and careful demo of the existing infastucture shouldn't cause anything like that to begin.

Would you be able to flex it more than running on a rough day into 2'-3' swells?  If you are working that hard to remove things, change tactics and use a saw.

perhaps you could seal the inside once it's striped down, before you begin to finish it.

I am sure the decking is down with non stainless screws, I had to remove a couple when running the lines for the front ff/df and new trolling motor.  So I had a bugger of a time getting some out.  I replaced with stainless so I wont have a problem with them later.

I'll take it as gingerly as possible, but I am definately going to risk it.  Too much potential benifit.