Spider crack in gelcoat when tightening down a RAM mount installation, Issues?

I was so careful drilling the holes in reverse and sanding out the edges when done, all holes drilled no issues, start to tighten everything down and all of a sudden I hear a “crack”…sob! So now I have about a 1.5” long crack in the gelcoat on top of the console. I know gelcoat fixes are neither cheap or easy, so do I just leave it as a cosmetic issue I live with or are there other options? Is it just inevitable that you’ll eventually get small spider cracks in the gelcoat around RAM mounting points due to the weight of today’s electronics and the flex you’ll get in big waves?

Did you use rubber washers between your bracket & the boat for the electronics?
It’s always a good idea to use rubber washers when clamping anything to fiberglass.

I did not

Typically drilling, chamfering, and thru bolting shouldn’t crack any gel. Also use silicone around the holes so when the mount is tightened it creates a little buffer between the mount and glass. Do not over tighten.

The point of the thread is that I appeared to overtighten, thus resulting in a gelcoat crack. What are my options moving forward? Do I just leave it as-is?

If it bothers you that much then have it fixed. Personally I would just leave it. Remove the mount and make sure the holes are chamfered plenty big. Flat sand the bottom of the mount to make sure it is flat. Put some silicone around the holes on the glass and re-install. Put a light film of grease on the bolts so the nuts do not seize up(if you are using stainless bolts).

If using screws in gel coat you have to use a bit that is barely smaller then the screw. Most the time even before you get the screw tight it will chip or crack the gel. If at all a chance to get a bolt on whatever it is you are mounting it’s the best way then use fender washer on the back side with nyloc nut.

If looking at the crack is going to bother you then stop by the hardware store and grab some like 3M non skid to cover the area up before installing Ram mount then use bolt like mentioned above. They make a grey colored non skid that’s not very abrasive. It might also not hurt to just lightly at the end of the crack run the drill in reverse. That should help prevent it from going any further.

I used stainless bolts/fender washers and nylock nuts. The small reverse drill shot at the end of the crack sounds like a good idea, thx