considering sewing a new snap cover

snlgraham

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 29, 2006
Messages
49
I bought an old 16ft open bow runabout that I completely replaced the interior down to the hull. New stringers, foam, floor, seats, upholstery and more. Now that its finished I need a cover that will not blow off when parked in its slip. I am considering sewing a custom snap type cover for it. Anyone done this? Is it worth trying yourself? Is it easy enough to figure out? It can't be harder than what I just finished.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

on old boats there are not many premade that fit correctly. thus you have to have them custom made at a canvas shop. when you price it out, YES it would be worth the hassel. another option is to buy a premade cover and modify it to fit your boat. this would cut down on the seaming material.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,906
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

It can't be harder than what I just finished.
Ayuh,....... This otto be Simple compared to Recovering Seats.......
 

dmarkvid2

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Nov 29, 2005
Messages
478
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

I am planning on making a cockpit cover that snaps on from the windshield to the transom. The way I plan on doing this is to buy a piece of heavy clear plastic that fits well over the boat, and with some help, carefully drape it over the windshield, to the transom making sure that there are no wrinkles in it. Then, kind of pull it tight, adjusting it to make no wrinkles, and tapeing it using "gaffing" tape (because it won't leave sticky stuff from the tape like duct tape)to the hull. Then, with a magic marker, carefully draw my cutting lines, about 2" to 3" below where the snaps are, and to make the shape of the cover. Also with the marker, dotting over each snap to show where I'll be placing the mating snapes. This will be my templet for the canvas to make the cover. By leaving the 2" to 3" longer, I'll be able to fold the edges over, and sewing it, to beef up the snap area at the edge. I plan on buying a one piece, piece of canvas, so there won't be any seam running the lenth of the cover.
 

JasonJ

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
4,163
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

I have a decent boat cover that I bought for $90. I put two poles under it to tent it for water run-off, and I installed snaps around the perimeter so it wouldn't blow off and the tenting is maintained. Has always worked well and was not nearly as difficult as sewing up a custom cover. The biggest concern to have is pooling water from rain, so there needed to be some sort of tenting or it needed to be really tight.
 

snlgraham

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 29, 2006
Messages
49
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

Good info guys. Thanks.<br />Marksjoy- I like the idea of making a pattern first.<br />Anybody actually done this?<br />Suggestions on what material to use?
 

Mark42

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Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

If you can use a sewing machine, you got it made. Choose a quality material, they range from about $8 to over $20 yard. Most are around 12-14 a yard. Check out rochford.com for materials and fasteners. I bought the material, thread and hardware from them to make my convertable top and they were great to deal with.
 

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,537
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

Here is the cover I just made. Made out of sunbrella with 1 inch webbing as reinforcement for the snaps with 7/8" Sunbrella double fold binding on the edges. I use a Consew 226R machine.<br /><br />
cover1.jpg
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cover2.jpg
 

gewf631

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 4, 2003
Messages
489
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

Originally posted by snlgraham:<br />I am considering sewing a custom snap type cover for it. Anyone done this? Is it worth trying yourself? Is it easy enough to figure out?
The first hurdle, is making sure your sewing machine is up to the task (Sunbrella and the like, will work with most regular home machines).<br /><br />If you've never tackled something like this before, see if your local library can get a copy of The Big Book of Boat Canvas by Karen Lipe (or order yourself a copy, it's less than $15). It's a great resource and covers all aspects of projects like this.<br /><br />Just be sure you're up to the task (and that you don't break your wife's sewing machine!).
 

dmarkvid2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
478
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

Bruce, How did you go about planning it out? I am going to make one too. My idea was stated in an above thread. But I'm always looking for a new possible way. Your top looks great, and is exactly the kind I need to make.
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

Hey Bruce<br /><br />Whos tool would you recmoned for the snaps ?<br /><br />tommays
 

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
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30,537
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

It is a tough project without a walking foot machine the way I did it. On the edge of my cover I go through one layer of sunbrella, one layer of webbing followed by the 4 layers of the double fold binding. Also, you really want to use #69 thread which requires a needle that a home machine can't use.<br /><br />I use the press-n-snap for my snaps but you can get by with a cheaper one. It will just take you much longer. As you can see, I put on a lot of snaps.<br />
image_resize.asp
<br /><br />I did a pattern like Mark's Joy did. I used som every thick plastic that I bought at home depot. The pro's often use the plastic that they use to shrink wrap boats with if you can find some of that.<br /><br />I also bought a set of quick-fit fasteners to make it easier to hold everything in place when I cut to fit. These are snaps with spikes inthem. You put these on the boat and push the fabric over them and then it is held in place with a plastic button. When I get the whole top put on with the quick-fits, I them trim to the exact size and then put on my webbing and binding. Once I get the webbing and binding on, I put the cover back over the quick fits and put in my snaps one at a time replacing the quick fits. This is where the press-n-snap comes in handy because you don't need to take the cover off the boat to put on the snaps. Alternatively, you can mark all the points where the quic-fits go through and then do the snaps all at one time with the hammer tool. The quick-fits are pricey but worth it.<br />
productthumb.asp
 

Realgun

Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
2,484
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

Bruce I like the press and snap tool but 129 dollars? You gotta be kiddin me! your right it works very well but the wee chap tool works too just not as convient.<br /><br />I got me a sewing machine with a walkin foot for 299 and has a zig-zag too Here you go. However it was 299 when I bought it. Can use 69 92 or 138 thread and industial needles to size 23. I have the 135x16 which is a wedge point needle and works great for vinyl. The 135x17 is a sharp but not cutting point for Sunbrella and what not.<br /><br />I am using size 22 needles and 92 thread.<br /><br />Its a basic Sailrite machine without the price and its not blue. However you could paint it. :) <br /><br />If you want to see it in action go Here.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,537
Re: considering sewing a new snap cover

Yeah the press-n-snap is expensive...Rochford has them for $89 and you can get them on Ebay at times. Depends on how many other projects you have planned. I am going to be doing side curtains on an enclosed camper top so The cost seems worth it to me.<br /><br />I bought my Consew on Ebay recently for $300 including the table and motor.
 
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