The nitty gritty
My model is different, and, FWIW our anchor locker was solidly glassed in from the inside of the deck mold. We have to access the cleat backing plate and the pulpit bases from underneath. This involves building up a "ramp" of old throwable cushions and rags on the inside all the way forward so that I can work my shoulders into the area ahead of the little bulkhead at the front of the bow berth. It is not comfortable or easy for a six foot guy...
It helps to have someone around to hand in the portable light, tools as needed, and finally glass patches and resin...
(Meanwhile sweat forms on my glasses and mixes with sanding dust on the lenses.
)
I spent some interesting hours and days all the way forward, adding backers to the pulpit bases and the anchor roller. I left the factory aluminum cleat backers for another time.
From your photo, I would venture a guess (and at this distance, that's all it is) that your model has balsa coring all the way to the edge of the deck, including under the cleat. Second, moisture got under that cleat and, over time, the coring in that immediate area (maybe 2 inches by 8") turn soft and lost its rigidity. Then a really hard pull on the cleat collapsed the surface layers of glass and produced the cracking in the photo.
Time to repair, mostly from underneath if you can, and fill in the area with epoxy mush. Then, add a much larger backing plate of 3/8" FR4/G10 epoxy plate, set in epoxy mush from the bottom. Yes, this involves working overhead in an area not big enough for a weasel to survive in!
Plan B: If (!) your particular model has a removable anchor locker, do remove the many screws and use a heat gun to soften the sealant, and pull that molded locker out. Then you can do all the needed rebedding of ALL the bow fittings, with new backing plates for all parts. Then reinstall the locker and be good for another 20 years.
Remove all the forepeak cushions before you start, of course, and put down some drop cloths. A shop vac and abrasives and chisels and foul language will be involved... Try not to inhale any of the vapor from the acetone you use for surface prep before applying the epoxy!
:crying:
FWIW, with dust and humidity fogging my glasses, I have used the end of the long vac hose propped up in the compartment where I am working to pull out the debris as I go.
Best,
Loren