Help!!! Stress cracks in hull. *pics

JeffreyCH · Posted: Sep 12, 2009 11:18 am Post subject: Help!!! Stress cracks in hull. *pics

I was putting my boat away on Tues. and noticed some hairline cracks around one of the back tower legs. Anyone else have this problem? Is there any easy fixes to get me through the end of the season?

taitrt · Soul Rider Joined: 11 May 2009 Posts: 413

is your glass reinforced under those mounts?

Boost Deuce · Criminal Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 94 City: Fort Collins

there are hairline cracks around the rear mounts on my tower. They are only about an inch long, though, and they all come from where the bolt mounts.

They have been there for 3 summers and they haven't changed in size, so i'm not worried.
The tower came factory on the boat in the R1 Wakeboard package that rinker offered/offers. I would think they have it reinforced under there

old man river · Newbie Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 9 City: alton

check to make sure all of your screws and bolts are tight that attach the tower to the boat.if these become slightly loose the screws and bolts can press against the fiberglass when the tower flexes under a strain and this can cause hairline cracks.if your boat wasn't designed for a tower and you installed an aftermarket you should install a backer plate on the inside of your hull out of 3/4 plywood or metal.think of this as a big washer and the bigger the better.make sure the plates fit tight against the hull.

Enygma · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Posts: 356

As old man river said. Make sure you have some big back plates on there. Me and my dad are about to do our first tower install tomorrow and this is the biggest thing on our minds. I would personally us a steel plate instead of wood.

I would also suggest that if you end up needin to add these plated to the back, make sure they're not the exact size. Put a couple inches extra all around. This will spread the tension further out and make it easier on everything.

m_lesney · Soul Rider Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 358 City: Austin

My Supra had some similar to that i took it in and they said they were superficial repaired them anyways with gelcoat but said nothing to worry about

JeffreyCH · Posted: Sep 16, 2009 10:42 am Post subject:

Thanks guys. I do have steel backing plates, same size as the ones on the outside. I went riding Sun. and paid close attention to the back legs, and the cracks, didn't get any worse. I think before next season I'm going to build up the back side with some fiberglass just to be safe. Anyone ever done that, or have any tips for doing it right?

kartman · Posted: Sep 16, 2009 12:45 pm Post subject:

the best thing would be to get a fiberglass repair kit, or a couple from Napa. and follow the directions in the kit. should be enough in the kit to to all 4 spots.

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

Those are most likely just stress cracks in the GEL, not the actual fiberglass. This has happened to numerous people, all types of boats. My buddies X1 has them, but they're being repaired under warranty.

If you do build up the fiberglass from the inside, it's easy but can be really messy. Cut cloth size, slop the resin on the surface, slap cloth on surface, slop more resin on cloth. Repeat.

dbismyname · Posted: Sep 18, 2009 11:12 am Post subject:

It might have something to do with the fact that you towed a waverunner off your tower Laughing

JeffreyCH · Posted: Sep 19, 2009 8:39 am Post subject: