I'm in the midst of a restoration project and have three out of four fittings where the crossbars join the hulls leaking a little air on a leak test. Can I just seal around the fittings without removing them, or do I have to take out the 5 or 6 factory installed screws, remove the fittings, and reseat them? Whichever, is silicone the best bet, or is there something better?

Thanks!