Gel Coat Cracks at Bow Eye

[TennesseeFlats]

I was loading my boat on the trailer yesterday at a boat ramp that i will never go back to again (very steep and crowded). when cranking the boat up the bow eye usually pops a couple of times when the hook shifts around the eye, but yesterday it popped once and seemed quite a bit louder. Looked under the bow eye and saw about 7 hairline cracks about 1-1/2" long heading away from the bottom of the eye. Made me absolutely sick!!! My boat is only 8 months old. don't know if it happened then or has been ongoing.

Emailed CS to see if I could get it checked out somewhere to make sure that no structural damage has occured. I know that they do not cover gel coat. Does anyone have a quick fix to keep it from cracking worse that will go unnoticed at first glance without having to spend a bunch of money?

[bobreeves]

My J16 has a bunch of hairline cracks around the bow eye too. Doesn't bother me as I don't believe they are structural, but if I were concerned about them getting worse I would consider fabricating a larger backing plate for the inside to distribute the load over a larger area - assuming I could get to the area without removing the front deck. Another thing I always do is to never tow the boat with the winch strap drawn up tight - I winch her up until she touches the bow stop, then back off until the strap has no slack but is not under pressure. These rigs move a bit on the bunks, and I think that can put undo pressure on the bow eye. I rely more on the stern straps to keep her in place on the trailer than I do the winch strap.

[wblack]

Same here Tennesee! I have them all around the bow eye. When I first saw them :eek: .........(first time I ever loaded my BRAND NEW boat) it made me sick too.

But I realize it is very common. It doesn't bother me either. As long as the hull is not weak there, it is just an aesthetics issue.

[TennesseeFlats]

I emailed CS and they told me to go ahead and have it checked out for "peace of mind". I am taking it to a local dealer and not the one i bought it from. Need to get the engine checked out anyhow.....

[Fillet1]

I have one that runs horizontal above the eye. It has never gotten any worse over the last year.

[Tawn]

Same here - several spider cracks around the eye - my buddy's Grady has them as well.

[fishin in georgia]

Kind of hurts my feelings on a new boat, mine has this minor issue as well but it seems I'm not alone.

[Fillet1]

Fishin in Georgia -

Your pic shows what happens when you dont chamfer or countersink holes after drilling through the gelcoat. They spider from the hole out. That pic is clearly a cosmetic issue only.