small cracks

[Haulin'Bass]

I have noticed some very small stress cracks around the back of my live well openings on both sides of the boat.
I have been running in some VERY! rough conditions on Lake Conroe for the last 4 or 5 weeks. The boat has taken a sever pounding. Are these normal? Should I be concerned? I have also noticed one small stress crack on the starboard side cap, just below and ahead of the windshield. Are these going to get worse or affect the boats performance? I was under the impression that Gamblers didn't do this. I checked the corners of the opening on the front deck and they are crack free as well as the port side cap. I inspected the transome around the jack plate and everything there is ok also. I'm very concerned about this. My buddy's Stroker has stress cracks all over it, but I expected to see those on that boat, not a Gambler.

[arkbuck]

I had all of the scratches from use redone on my boat this year i too had the stress cracks in the corners around the livewell. I talked to the fibergalss man that reworked my boat he has been in the business for 40 years and asked him if in should have them fixed. he said that it was only the clear coat cracking in that stress point and there is nothing you could do to fix it or keep it from happening unless you dont use your boat. He said it did not matter what kind of boat it was anything with a heavy clearcoat would do it. He said it had nothing to do with the structural intergrity of the boat. Now if your cracks are down where you can see the actual raw fiberglass you might have a problem but i would not worry about the cracks in the clear. Mine has taken a beating for 2 years since i have had it and the cracks have not changed in size at all.

[Haulin'Bass]

the cracks around the live wells seem deep, I can catch a fingernail in them. the one on the cap is visible, but you can't feel it.

[MCarte]

Hey Mike, I'm expecting some cracks in mine. These boats seem to flex more than I expected. Conroe's rough water will crack anything! For the most part cracks in the gel coat around corners and sharp edges are not much to be concerned about. Now if these cracks show up on the hull rather than the top cap then you can break out a big jug of concern. Check at the corner of the strakes underneath. If you have cracks following the strakes then you can be something is wrong. Have you been catching any fish in Conroe?