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General Upholstery Questions and Comments => General Discussion => Topic started by: Judy_Boat on July 20, 2014, 07:40:50 pm

Title: pontoon boat - installing snap fasteners
Post by: Judy_Boat on July 20, 2014, 07:40:50 pm
the pontoon boat (8' x 16") has never had a snap on mooring cover on it.
soon it will.
I will be installing the screw studs along the sides through the 1" tubing and some across the front deck through the aluminum channel(about 1/8" thick)
Will the self tapping SS screw studs (3/8"length) work for the side rails and the aluminium channel.  If so what works best for the pilot hole.

I seem to recall adding threaded screw studs before on a pontoon and having to use a tap to cut the threads in the aluminum channel.
thanks
Title: Re: pontoon boat - installing snap fasteners
Post by: Mike on July 20, 2014, 07:45:15 pm
1/8" will generaly work with most railings and the heavier metal Id go 9/64"
Title: Re: pontoon boat - installing snap fasteners
Post by: Old sailmaker on July 21, 2014, 04:56:39 pm
Dont forget to use a good sealant when installing the studs in the boat, i like 4200 or silicone
Title: Re: pontoon boat - installing snap fasteners
Post by: Mike on July 21, 2014, 06:40:14 pm
in a square aluminum rail I wouldn't worry about it
Title: Re: pontoon boat - installing snap fasteners
Post by: Judy_Boat on July 22, 2014, 01:23:12 pm
snap spacing along the sides should be about 18"
Is that about right?
Title: Re: pontoon boat - installing snap fasteners
Post by: timtheboatguy on July 22, 2014, 05:55:21 pm
Quote from: Judy_Boat on July 22, 2014, 01:23:12 pm
snap spacing along the sides should be about 18"
Is that about right?


Personally, I like to use more snaps that that, usually about every 12" and more around corners and openings like for the bimini frame. I had a pontoon boat come in last year for a cover that had snaps every 8 to 9" in the boat! It was a workout putting all those snaps in!
Title: Re: pontoon boat - installing snap fasteners
Post by: Mike on July 22, 2014, 08:05:13 pm
also 12" is qabout the max id go on a cormal cockpit cover on a regular boat I usealy go 9" though I  havnt had to install snaps like that in a long time. maxums in the early 90s  used to use and exurbanite amount  about 4"  that was a pia
Title: Re: pontoon boat - installing snap fasteners
Post by: Judy_Boat on July 30, 2014, 05:07:16 pm
studs went in fine.  Only broke one drill bit.
Majority spaced 10" apart, except where going around cut outs.  Spacing looks good to the eye.
It is also a small pontoon so installing the snaps on the cover will not be too bad.
thanks for the advice

Title: Re: pontoon boat - installing snap fasteners
Post by: Mike on July 30, 2014, 08:38:00 pm
I space them 10 inches also