Question about crack in gelcoat near bow eye.

[Daytomann]

OK, I'm still fairly new to boating. I have a question about a crack I found running out from the bow eye. I have a few pics.
Is this normal and should I just expect this to happen? What caused it and how do you avoid it?

My boat is an 04 216. I have only 25hrs on it and it has only been on and off the trailer less than 10 times. It has been trailered more than 20 miles on 4 occasions. I just wouldnt expect a crack this early in its lifespan.

If this is not "normal" What should I do next?

[Daytomann]

Oh, and when I say "I'm still new to boating" I mean that I am new to boat ownership. I've been around boats for a long time. So I have always paid close attention to and helped experienced boaters land their boats on the trailer, etc...
When I land my boat on the trailer I do nothing different than the other four, experienced, people I know who have ski/wakeboard boats.

[indo]

what kind of trailer do u have?

[AbunDiga909]

Our 216 has about 125 hrs on it and is on and off the trailer all the time and has nothing like that. Looks like from the angle of the clip you use a winch not and turnbuckle, and from the crack it looks like that top nut on the tow eye isn't right. To me my first guess would be that too much pressure was put on that top nut of the bow eye when being winched in. But even then I don't think that should happen on a boat that has only been trailed a couple times. But that what looks to be the problem, then again, I'm no mechanic.

[Daytomann]

what kind of trailer do u have?

I have a Dorsey Trailer.

[Daytomann]

Looks like from the angle of the clip you use a winch not and turnbuckle, and from the crack it looks like that top nut on the tow eye isn't right. .

I'm sorry man, but what do you mean by "winch not and turnbuckle"?

[OldFart]

Have ur dealer take a look @ it. OF

[Daytomann]

Have ur dealer take a look @ it. OF

Definately :!: I will.

[bkhallpass]

I'd be guessing what caused it, but I KNOW it's not right.
Assuming you bought trailer/boat package from same
dealer, I'd take it to the dealer. Sounds like you bought new
last summer, so I'd get it in as soon as you can to be sure
it's under warranty.

Seems to me, there no need to stress that this is your first boat.
I'm a pretty experienced boater and I've had gel cracks that I caused,
and cracks that appeared for no discernable reason. Happens
to all of us.

BKH

[ag4ever]

It does not matter which way the force is applied to the bow eye (up, down, or forward) it should not crack.

As best I can tell from the photo, it looks more like a scratch than a crack. But then again it is hard to tell from a photo.

Your dealer should be able to tell if there is a structural problem.

[AbunDiga909]

Daytomann, by turnbuckle I mean the old style where you have to drive all the way up on the trailer and then clip it on. Today some people use winchs, but every now and then I see people leaving the boat way out in the lake, and then winching it about 50 feet or so--sometimes that could be too much stress I think.

[Daytomann]

It does not matter which way the force is applied to the bow eye (up, down, or forward) it should not crack.

Thats what I've always been told. It should take a hellofva lot of force to crack the gelcoat at the bow eye, way more force than I have put on it.

As best I can tell from the photo, it looks more like a scratch than a crack. But then again it is hard to tell from a photo.

Yeah itshard to tell too much from the photo but I am pretty **** sure its a crack.

I'm going to drag it up to the dealership today and have them check it out.
Anyone know how long it takes to get something like this repaired?

[Daytomann]

AbunDiga909, I see what you mean. My trailer has a winch, like most of the others I've seen. I've not seen a turnbuckle type trailer yet. I use the winch when I'm landing the boat but only to sure it all the way up on the trailer. Usualy no more than 12 inches or so at the most and I always have everyone move to the back of the boat to raise the bow. I put the rails all the way in the water and I even make sure the carpet on the front V-bracket rail is very wet. It shouldnt be cracking under the minor stresses I've put on it. At least I wouldnt think so....

[AbunDiga909]

It shouldnt be cracking under the minor stresses I've put on it. At least I wouldnt think so....

Niether do I. I'd expect the winch or the trailer to go first before the gelcoat...

[DavidF]

Here's my take: You have the trailer in the water too deep so that the stern of the boat is way above the bunk boards as you winch the boat in tight. Now, you pull the boat out of the water and the stern falls to the bunk boards causing the bow to rise accordingly. As the bow rises, your already tight winch strap gets even tighter and puts a downward load on the bow eye. Translate the downward load to a pull force on the top of the bow eye and you can begin to see why you are getting a stress crack at the top of the eye.

My suggestion: Do not back the trailer in so deep. Go ahead and winch the boat in fully, but then release the tension on the strap slightly before pulling the boat from the water. Since you did not back the trailer in so deep, the front of the hull should be resting on the bunk boards enough ot keep the boat from moving backwards as you pull from the water. Give it a try.