since i just got the boat im not sure what the old owner was towing with it. there is no other damage showing it might have hit a structure or anything like that. the only thing i can think of it cracking from is that the boat was used in the ocean. the weight of the lights, speekers, two full wakboard racks, and the constent pounding of the ocean waves/ rough water conditions jerks the tower back and forth and stress crack the bace of the tower. i will try and contact the closest dealer in the new year to see what they say and post back.