What are these cracks in my hull?!?

[blueplastic]

After towing the Epic 22 back from a wakeboarding trip last weekend, we noticed a bunch of minor cracks in the hull.

We had tied the boat to a dock for a few hours, so the cracks might be caused by the boat smacking the dock because of a big wave. We'll have to add more rubber guards for protection next time. Could hitting the dock have caused these cracks?

Also, what can we do to fix this? Is it serious enough to fix, or should we just leave it?

[blueplastic]

Here's another pic:

[phenom_1819]

Oh man... I cringed when I saw those pics.  Sorry to hear about the damage to the boat.  You're guess is probably right -- the boat probably slammed against the dock, leaving some major stress cracks.

I don't know what they can do for stress cracks that big, but it definitely would be worth you taking it in. Structurally: stress cracks aren't that significant. All boats get them and they're usually nothing to worry about. But I've never seen cracks that long. You shouldn't be afraid to use the boat (but you should be afraid to tie up to a dock without at least good fenders again).  Good fenders are worth their weight in gold.

Hope it's not as bad as it looks.  Good luck.

[davidgree1]

They are probably just cracks in the gel coat.  I am not sure (at all).  Post those pics on Wakeboard.com and others that know a lot will tell you what they are and what needs to be done if anything.

[cyclone]

gelcoat cracks from a cold day. Coupla hundred bucks to smooth them out. No big deal.

[toyotafreak]

Ugly as all hell, to be sure. It doesn't get that cold in Florida. As well as our hulls are built, I'd be amazed if those weren't caused by some heavy impact. Agree that it looks to be confined to the gelcoat, but would expect a decent fiberglass guy to do more than just make the cracks disappear.