Canvas tops?

boating2013 · Jan 8, 2013

Does anyone know if the snap buttons on canvas tops universally spaced?

Thanks

airdvr1227 · Jan 8, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

Doubtful. I'm sitting at my desk looking at a brand new Hurricane deck boat. Snaps seem to be every 6" or so, but some are much closer, and some are further apart. Trying to estimate how many you'll need?

rallyart · Jan 8, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

Nope. They are usually - "Yeah, that looks about right".
From the manufacturer they might be made on a pattern but many are just custom.

boating2013 · Jan 8, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

Thanks for the quick response guys.

Fireman431 · Jan 14, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

They are placed from the center of the attachment points outward, usually on a "close to" 6" spread. They are drilled and placed by hand, so within an inch or so is the norm. Never 2 boats completed the same. Replace snaps one at a time, working from one corner, then the other, giving a slight stretch in the material. Then go back to the center and fill in the missing snaps.

boating2013 · Jan 15, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

Thanks.

So I guess if someone needed to replace a top, if they buy a new one it may not line up with the old top?

Bondo · Jan 15, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

boating2013 said:
Thanks.

So I guess if someone needed to replace a top, if they buy a new one it may not line up with the old top?

Ayuh,.... The Top should line up, but No, the snaps probably won't...

bruceb58 · Jan 15, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

boating2013 said:
Thanks.

So I guess if someone needed to replace a top, if they buy a new one it may not line up with the old top?

Usually "buying a new one" means having a custom one done. A custom canvas guy will use the locations of the old snaps. He won't move them.

JASinIL2006 · Jan 15, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

I bought a custom cover for my boat, and I had to install the snaps myself. It really wasn't hard. You can buy a professional grade snap installer for about $100, or you can buy a $5 kit and a canvas hole-punch for $15 (I did the latter). I had to install about 45 snaps and it took a few hours. It wasn't bad at all.

Jim

bruceb58 · Jan 15, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

When I am doing a cover I use these:
Quick Fit Kit in Waterproof Box

Basically you install the snaps on the boat and you snap on these little spikes on the snaps. You press the fabric over the spikes to get the cover lined up where you want it and then replace the spikes with actual snaps.

There is a video on the link I provided that shows how they work.

OllieC · Jan 16, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

bruceb58 said:
When I am doing a cover I use these:
Quick Fit Kit in Waterproof Box

Basically you install the snaps on the boat and you snap on these little spikes on the snaps. You press the fabric over the spikes to get the cover lined up where you want it and then replace the spikes with actual snaps.

There is a video on the link I provided that shows how they work.

I did the same thing. That little kit was very helpful.

As far as spacing. I actually Google Imaged my boat and looked what everyone else had done and did my best to copy.

PrinceValium · Jan 17, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

I laughed at them using the Now We Are Free song from the movie Gladiator on their video.

Georgesalmon · Jan 17, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

From a manufacturers point of view we always tried to place the snaps in the same place on every boat using patterns, tape measures , etc. But the covers were custom installed by the employee installing it. Because there were always differences between the stretch of the material, temperature of the shop and sewing. Sold a lot of replacement tops but the snaps were sent in a plastic bag.

V153 · Jan 17, 2013

Re: Canvas tops?

I use my Quick Fit kit for some applications, not all. Just be sure ya got the material purty close to where ya want it before you start poking holes in it? Cuz they leave a pretty big hole.

By the way I don't set any fasteners til I'm at the boat.

Bought me a new Quick Fit kit not too long ago cuz I'd lost 'bout half the old ones overboard, etc. Did ya ever accidentally kneel on one? Lemme tell ya that'll perk ya up a bit. Bleve I threw him overboard on purpose ...

Canvas tops?

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