Robbin, The hull to deck joint on the M23 is different from the M17. The deck turns down and the hull comes up inside the lip of the deck. The machine screws go from the outside of the toe rail, through the deck and hull and into the cabin. When you first brought up this project I commented that you probably only needed to find the leaking machine screws, remove and reseal them and your leak(s) will be stopped. I still believe that to be the case. I don't see any way the M23 joint could leak except where the machine screws penetrate the hull (water has to go up between the deck lip and over the hull to get inside). I took the port toerail completely off of my M23 cleaned it up, rebedded and re-installed. I won't do it that way again. If it ever starts to leak again I'll just look to see which screw is the leaker and reseal it. I think removing the toerail is completely unnecessary, but then my thoughts are only worth a penney! If you decide to proceed with the removal, I would either take the entire toerail off or do 1/2 at a time starting from the stern. I contemplated the 1/2 at a time procedure and decided against it when I did mine. The joint won't come apart on you (at least mine didn't) it is thoroughly bonded together. That's my 2 cents and worth every bit of it! Your results may vary. :) Good luck with your project. Mark Dvorscak M23 Faith M15 (awaiting paint job and new name) and former M17 owner