replacing snaps
 

need to replace a couple of snaps on my bimini cover, anyone had any experience with that and where to buy snaps,

Taylor, the boat fender people make a kit...easy peasy!
Just google “Taylor canvas snap kit”

Sports Parafunalia
 

I think I bought mine at Sports Parafunalia in Gilford. Probably 5 or 6 years ago. Easy to use.

Dave

I bought a kit off Amazon, but I asked about it when I stopped for gas at MVM one day and they took care of it on the spot. Might be worth asking your marina, if you visit often.

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This was my first snap replacement kit. The tool is not very sturdy and bent after a few uses. I now use a vice grip with the snap heads welded on. Costs $45 at Amazon. You’ll always need to replace snaps so I think the extra money is worth it.

they're everywhere
 

Sounds like everybody has kit. There's probably one in my tool kit, buried. Ask the guy in the boat slip next to you. Bet he has one.

Same exact experience here.

Get the vice grip tool.

If doing the work over the water I suggest that you fashion some sort of lanyard to keep the tool in your possession.

Suggestion
 

If I could make one more suggestion regarding snaps...buy snaps that are entirely stainless steel, no brass inserts, nickel plated or similar. No snap will last longer or hold better than solid stainless. I have installed thousands over the years and learned this lesson a long time ago.

I buy my stainless snaps from Sailrite... https://www.sailrite.com/Snap-Fasten...tainless-Steel

This is the tool I purchased which works great. Granted, for one or two snaps probably not worth spending the money on but over the years this tool has paid for itself.... https://www.sailrite.com/Pres-N-Snap-Fastener-Tool

Also, one more installation trick...if you need to punch a hole in whatever material for the snap stud, I have always heated the shank end of the proper size drill bit with a torch and simply punch it through the material. This "heals" the edges by melting it and keeps the material from ripping at the snap.

Good luck!

Dan

Good idea. I always used a leather punch (Pliers with a rotating wheel on one handle to select hole size) and a drop of candle wax to seal the threads in the material before adding the snap. I guess that's before the days of synthetic fabrics which melt.
A canvas shop installing new snaps (new canvas) probably just cuts the hole and installs the snap to match the snap that's already on the bat, right?

Thanks for all the reply's Great advice from everyone who has done this repair before. I will try this week and let you know

Hole.
 

Punch the hole in the fabric and dab a little clear fingernail polish at the opening to stop the fraying.

Dave

Size / Color
 

I am a new boat owner... as of last Friday...

Have a couple Navy snaps to add to the Bimini...

Are there different size snaps... how are these measured... I see all different numbers on the Sailright page... just not sure how to interpret them...

I'm not sure what a "navy snap" is but the correct term for a standard snap fastener on most boat tops is called a "Dot Fastener snap".

There are basically three parts of a Dot fastener,...cap, socket and stud. All have the same diameter and the only difference would be the required length of the stem on the cap which is determined by the thickness of material you are applying them to. Most stem lengths are 1/4".

Dan

Navy Blue... in the color of the Bimini... Matching the other snaps which are colored... probably should have been more clear...