SNAPS

[Agent 002]

     Just wondering how you guys anchor your snaps on a fiberglass boat to make a boat cover. Ive always riveted my snaps in. I was told that the screw in studs would crack the fibeglass. Is this true?

[Grebo]

We normally use screws, use the right size drill bit & slightly counter sink the hole works a treat.

Suzi

[Mike]

I like screw in. 1/8" bit and i bevel rhe gelcoat with my screw tip. Before screwing.
I
Just think they look better imho

[Agent 002]

Thanks fellas

[Mojo]

I always used screw studs on coaches. I would always pre-drill the hole thought to keep from cracking the paint/fiberglass.

Chris

[Darren Henry]

Mike has seen snow; so I always back his play. LOL.

I like screw in. 1/8" bit and i bevel rhe gelcoat with my screw tip. Before screwing.
I
Just think they look better imho

I find that not only do they hold and look better; it is much faster as well to use screw studs vs. riveted. I use a 7/64 th. countersink bit to pre-drill unless it's a Bayliner or other cheap boat---there I'll go up to 1/8" because they harden the gel coat so quickly ( they mix it "hot" before they spray)  it is very brittle.

[Mike]

I hate it when you drill to small a hole then the screw stud breaks off in the hole.
Now try to get it out

[JuneC]

Screw in - like Mike with a 1/8" drill bit then countersink through the gelcoat or you're likely to get chips.  I hate riveted snap studs.  There's always one or two on a boat in a spot that the stud gets damaged by hitting against a dock or on the bow where a swinging anchor crushes it.  Drilling out the rivet is always a PITA.  I've never had one that didn't grab the drill bit and spin in the hole.  Now you have a REAL challenge.  Nickel/brass rivets aren't too awful, but stainless can make you crazy.

June