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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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SNAP Button Screws

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Enchantment II	Posted - 10/15/2019 : 10:32:52 I would like to add Snap buttons to my Cat 25. I intend to place them under my windows so that I can add a full Sunbrella cover over my cabin area. I would like to hear from any member regarding drilling into the gelcoat. Any techniques? Thanks
10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
exf4gib	Posted - 11/19/2019 : 20:17:33 quote: Originally posted by Enchantment II I would like to add Snap buttons to my Cat 25. I intend to place them under my windows so that I can add a full Sunbrella cover over my cabin area. I would like to hear from any member regarding drilling into the gelcoat. Any techniques? Thanks Just "tuned" into this discussion. I recently fabricated some sheet bags for my Cat 25 as a small project with a Ultrafeed sewing machine I just bought. This kit included YKK� SNAD� White 25mm Adhesive Backed Domed Studs to snap the bags to the cockpit bulkheads adjacent to the companionway. These disk are a composite material so they may not be what you're looking for, but they don't require drilling more holes into your boat. Just a suggestion.
Voyager	Posted - 10/23/2019 : 17:06:05 Thanks Dave, I�ll look for a tube next time I�m at the chandlery.
Stinkpotter	Posted - 10/22/2019 : 19:42:47 quote: Originally posted by Voyager ...I lost my pop top cover ( the original reason for the snaps I reckon) in my garage fire this summer. Perhaps this winter I�ll remove them and patch the gelcoat with MarineTex Small holes like that can be filled with gelcoat patch in a tube. That should remain invisible after sun exposure when Marine Tex might not. To keep snaps from leaking, a drop of Captain Tolley�s at the base of each should do it.
Voyager	Posted - 10/22/2019 : 15:45:39 Mine too. I�m sure they�ve leaked for 33 years. Would�ve been great if they had never been installed? I have a tarp I can use to cover the cabintop from the mast aft to the companionway. I usually tie it down with lines tied to the stanchion bases. I lost my pop top cover ( the original reason for the snaps I reckon) in my garage fire this summer. Perhaps this winter I�ll remove them and patch the gelcoat with MarineTex
dasreboot	Posted - 10/22/2019 : 10:30:04 aren't the snaps for the pop top cover screwed right into the side of the cabin? they are on my boat at least.
Enchantment II	Posted - 10/22/2019 : 09:22:41 Thanks Steve.
Steve Milby	Posted - 10/18/2019 : 17:39:27 It has been a long time, but my recollection is that the vertical sections of fiberglass in that area aren't backed by plywood. So, if you screw the snaps through the fairly thin fiberglass, there won't be much thickness for the screw threads to bite into. Rather than using screws to hold the cover in place, I suggest you use bungees to secure it. It you want to be sure that the fabric hangs close to the windows to block sunlight, sew a piece of 7/16" line into the hem under the windows. The bungees will hold the cover in place and the weight of the line will prevent the wind from lifting that part in all but the windiest conditions. The best part is that you won't have to drill holes in your fiberglass, which is always a potential trouble spot.
islander	Posted - 10/18/2019 : 16:06:04 Google "how to drill gelcoat" Lots of information and how to's. I would also suggest when placing the location of the snaps, Leave the canvas slightly loose. Cloth has a tendency to shrink over time and you might find it difficult to snap it down in a few years.
Enchantment II	Posted - 10/18/2019 : 12:36:36 Thanks Davy J, that sounds like a good method.
Davy J	Posted - 10/16/2019 : 02:50:15 One technique is to start the hole with a countersink bit. Drill it to the point that the gel coat is removed where the actual hole will be. This prevents the gel coat from cracking around the actual drill bit. Then dab some sealant in the hole before inserting the snap.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.