Cracking near front cleat- should I fix?

[mka]

I just bought an 05 Larson 18' and noticed some cracking around one of the bow cleats. The crack goes from one anchor point to the other and just slightly beyond. You can certainly feel it, but it's more of a hairline. The cleat is solid and I'm unable to shift or move the crack by applying pressure.

Is this the gel coat? Should this be of concern to me?

Thanks to anyone for advice!

mka

 

[redfury]

Re: Cracking near front cleat- should I fix?

Could be a stress fracture from when they drilled the holes for the cleat. Personally, I'd just keep an eye on it...maybe the next time you are next to the dock, tie off with that cleat and give the boat a couple of good yanks against the rope and see if you can detect movement.

 

[mka]

Re: Cracking near front cleat- should I fix?

Could be a stress fracture from when they drilled the holes for the cleat. Personally, I'd just keep an eye on it...maybe the next time you are next to the dock, tie off with that cleat and give the boat a couple of good yanks against the rope and see if you can detect movement.

Will do. Just now I again tried pulling on it and twisting it with both hands and can't detect any give at all. If the crack worsens over time, is the repair expensive, or is the "cure worse than the disease"?

Thanks,

mka

 

[dingbat]

Re: Cracking near front cleat- should I fix?

How is it attached and what did they use for a backing plate?

 

[mka]

Re: Cracking near front cleat- should I fix?

How is it attached and what did they use for a backing plate?

The picture is out of focus, but gives you an idea of how the cleat is attached to the boat. I didn't see anything of issue on close inspection.

mka

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Cracking near front cleat- should I fix?

...should I fix?

It' not going away or fix itself. Could well be just a gelcoat crack. Wait till winter and repair any other wounds you aquired this season. Check the bottom and all hardware mounts, do them all at once.
Remove the cleat and countersink the holes to the gelcoat depth. Drill a small hole .030+/- at the outboard end of the crack, to keep it from spreading. Scratch/sand/groove the crack itself a little bigger. Clean with MEK. Use Marine-tex to fill the crack. Use 3M4200 in the cleat mount holes and on the screws, reinstall hardware. Since you have easy access and the room, you may want to make a larger backing plate, for more distribution of any cleat stresses.