Replacing snaps for the boat cover

[KD4UPL]

I bought a new to me boat last year; it is 15 years old. It's hard to tell how many times the snaps for the bow and cockpit covers have been on and off in that time. I'm wondering if they are getting weak. I can't trailer this thing down the highway for any distance and the snaps all across the rear of the cover come loose and leave it flapping in the breeze. It's caused the rear of the cover to start to unravel. I don't want to get that fixed until I figure out how to make it stay snapped.
The male snap part is screwed to the hull, that seems replaceable. The female snap part seems to be rather permanently attached to the cover. How do you replace those, or do you?
Any tips for keeping the cover snapped while trailering? Does it help to be looser or tighter? My last boat had very similar covers slightly older and stayed snapped really well.
I'm not interested in hearing about how I should tow it without the covers. I've lost so much stuff out of boats towing with the covers off I could have probably bought a new cover. Also, spending hours and hours cleaning bug guts and other nasty stuff off the upholstery is not my idea of a good time.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[QBhoy]

There is a tool for these. Like a rivet gun idea.

 

[bruceb58]

Add more snaps and replace the ones you already have. They have a hammer tool that kinda works ok. I make boat covers and use a professional tool like this one. I go way overboard on snaps like one every foot on the leading edge.

You drill out the center of the snap slightly to get rid of the metal that gets folded over when you install it. Look at a new snap and you will get the idea.

There is a pop rivet type tool. It's expensive for what you get and I wouldn't buy it over the one in the next link. Pros don't use the pop rivet type.

I use this one:
http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/U...ers/index.html

Here is the hammer type:
https://www.sailrite.com/snap-fasten...tallation-tool


This is mine using it on a pontoon cover I made.

 

[kykimmy]

I just had new snaps added to my cover, but the problem I'm having is that I can't get the clips attached to the windshield. I took the cover to the place to get the snaps added and gave me the clips to add myself. Do you have any tips on how to do this? thanks!

 

[crazy charlie]

You may not be aware since you have trailered like this before ,but that cover is not rated for trailering.Covers that are rated for trailering cover part of the sides of the boat and have straps running under the boat and straps that run over the cover to keep it stable.Charlie

 

[Dave neo]

buy a kit from Sailrite - talk to them if you do not know correct size = easy to replace or add some new ones to keep it in place better..try replacing male ones on the boat first - that is easiest. If not better, replace the females in the canvas.

 

[cptbill]

You may not be aware since you have trailered like this before ,but that cover is not rated for trailering.Covers that are rated for trailering cover part of the sides of the boat and have straps running under the boat and straps that run over the cover to keep it stable.Charlie

trailering with the cover on is a no no, that said just us a pair of side cutters(wire cutters if you preferer) and cut the rivet carefully with out cutting the fabric then replace the snap. most snap kits you buy have one of the manual hammer tools in them

 

[JimS123]

You may not be aware since you have trailered like this before ,but that cover is not rated for trailering.Covers that are rated for trailering cover part of the sides of the boat and have straps running under the boat and straps that run over the cover to keep it stable.Charlie

He has a bow and cockpit cover. Not a mooring cover. Re-read the original post. Your answer is wrong.

 

[JimS123]

trailering with the cover on is a no no,

That is nonsense. Plus, the OP said to not criticize trailering covered.

The snaps are worn out. Replace them, with the procedure as indicated above.

Also, you might want to install a pair of rear-facing vents. That will suck the cover down and put less pressure on the snaps.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

The tool shown above is the best way to install snaps but there not cheap I see people paying almost as much for used ones on eBay as they sell for new. There are slip on snap sets for about $15 that slide onto vice grips Ive installed many with these they work decent trick is to do a medium crimp and then a heavy crimp and then spin them 180 degrees and crimp again because the vice grips put the tool at a slight angle. It is well worth having a set of these if you dont want to spring for the more expensive version. The next issue you face is getting the old email snaps off your cover without damaging it I drill a slight depression in a pice of wood with about a 5/8” drill bit just deep enough to cradle the cover on the female snap hold it in the hole and lightly drill through the crimped center part with the largest bit that will fit inside the female snap do not let the snap spin or get hot it will damage the material.

 

[KD4UPL]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will probably end up getting some new snaps, replace the males on the boat, and then maybe try to replace the females on the covers.
Jim S, tell me more about rear facing vents to keep the cover sucked down. I like that idea.

 

[blamtro]

Buy some LOXX brand snaps

 

[JimS123]

Jim S, tell me more about rear facing vents to keep the cover sucked down. I like that idea.

Every jetski cover i ever owned had rear facing clamshell vents. As you drove down the highway those covers were always tight against the hull. I might add that other than a strap in the hem around the gunnel, there were no snaps involved.

My current boat has a factory OEM mooring / trailering cover and it has no snaps either.....just a ratchet strap just below the rubrail. But right behind the windshield are 2 vents.

I couldn't find them on IBoats, but a quick search on ebay turned them up. Google "SEW IN BOAT COVER VENT Vent - Aire Ventilator #63 ".