i can tell you why it's cracked. that plate and cleat or eye on the bow is designed to lift the boat out of the water. Some one has used it to lift your boat and the weight over the years has cracked your bow from it. It's most likely going to be a deep crack. paint wise use any ol spray paint that matches your boat inside. Look at the parts i sent in that other posting. If you want to keep that i'd just replace the bracket, rod, and the bow eye/ cleat style. i'd buy these 3 below.
$18.99
$19.95
$24.95
$6.45
