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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 SNAP Button Screws		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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Enchantment II
1st Mate

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USA
88 Posts
Initially Posted - 10/15/2019 :  10:32:52  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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
Joseph Henderson
82-CAT 25 TR SK

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts
Response Posted - 10/16/2019 :  02:50:15  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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.
Davy J


2005 Gemini 105Mc
PO 1987 C25 #5509 SR/SK
Tampa Bay
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Enchantment II
1st Mate

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USA
88 Posts
Response Posted - 10/18/2019 :  12:36:36  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks Davy J, that sounds like a good method.
Joseph Henderson
82-CAT 25 TR SK
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts
Response Posted - 10/18/2019 :  16:06:04  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound


Edited by - islander on 10/18/2019 16:12:21
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts
Response Posted - 10/18/2019 :  17:39:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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Enchantment II
1st Mate

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USA
88 Posts
Response Posted - 10/22/2019 :  09:22:41  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks Steve.
Joseph Henderson
82-CAT 25 TR SK
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dasreboot
Admiral

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803 Posts
Response Posted - 10/22/2019 :  10:30:04  Show Profile  Visit dasreboot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
aren't the snaps for the pop top cover screwed right into the side of the cabin? they are on my boat at least.
Todd Lewis
Eowyn 87 TR/WK C25 #5656
ARWEN 84 TR/SK C25 #4031
www.mainsailsailingschool.com
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts
Response Posted - 10/22/2019 :  15:45:39  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
Edited by - Voyager on 10/22/2019 15:47:18
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts
Response Posted - 10/22/2019 :  19:42:47  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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.
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/22/2019 19:53:59
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts
Response Posted - 10/23/2019 :  17:06:05  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks Dave, I’ll look for a tube next time I’m at the chandlery.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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exf4gib
1st Mate

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USA
42 Posts
Response Posted - 11/19/2019 :  20:17:33  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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.
Arnie W.
85 C-25 TR/FK #4747 "Lifted"
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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.