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Q1: what is the purpose of the multitude of small Phillips-head screws in the depressed channel [or drain path] in the deck that goes around the perimeter of the cockpit of my 1966 13-foot hull?

These screws look like they were installed before the gel coat.

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Trowboat wrote:Q1: what is the purpose of the multitude of small Phillips-head screws in the depressend channel in the deck that goes around the perimeter of the cockpit of my 1966 14-foot hull?

Most likely there are no actual screws in the channel in the surface of the cockpit of your 1966 13-foot hull. They are just impressions from the hull liner mold. The exact original purpose of all those screws in the hull liner mold is unknown. They were probably left in the mold for expediency, or perhaps by Dick Fisher as a subtle joke or as a way to confuse other boat builders about the exact method of construction of the hull, which later became known as the Unibond hull method. Or, most likely, the screw fasteners were points of fastening the mold surface to a strong backing frame in order prevent deformation of the mold when subjected to the pressure of the expanding foam that would later be introduced when the hull liner and hull bottom laminations were combined into one structure. All of above are my own speculations.

An article in the REFERENCE section reproduces the original patent that was claimed for the Boston Whaler boat construction, which, as in many instances, has a rather obscure title, making locating the document difficult. But thanks to some good sleuthing by some very curious fellows, the patent was found. My role was to reproduce it and make it much more easily accessed. If you are similarly curious to know more, read

Original Patent of Boston Whaler Hull Construction
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/refer ... atent.html

The most important and hidden element in the hull construction is revealed in the patent, that is, the use of what are known as shear braces to create stiffening between the two laminated sections that form the hull strucrure.

ASIDE
If you are particularly curious about those impression of screw fasteners with a Phillips head, you could explore further using one of the "screws" in a not-too-visible area and excavating around it.

Report your findings in a follow-up post if you do undertake that exploration.

Trowboat wrote:These screws look like they were installed before the gel coat.

Your supposition is really not possible. As in almost all production of laminated fiberglass boats, a Boston Whaler hull is created by using a female contact mold, and in the lamination process the first step is to spray the gel coat layer onto the mold surface. In essence, the lamination is built from the outer skin and thence inward, as additional layer of laminating resin and reinforcement are added. This method could not possibly permit the screw fasteners to become part of the hull lamination prior to or before the gel coat was sprayed on.

The method of constructing a Boston Whaler Unibond hull is described and illustrated in an article in the REFERENCE section of the WHALER section of the website. See

Boston Whaler Factory Tour
Where Legends Are Made
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/refer ... ctory.html