window cover snap to fabric question

[Jake B]

so we are in the process of making window covers for all the windows on our 22. I have been reading throughout the archives looking at all the old post. I already know to get the 5/8 stud screw in snaps for the windows and to use existing holes. but attaching the snaps to the fabric do I really need a special tool to do this? or is there a trick to not having to?

also a lot of the links in the old post are no longer good. i have been looking online and looks like the best place i can find is sailright they have the screw stud and snap that goes with it for .78$ each and looks like i will need around 40 of them. anyone know a better deal out there?
link
http://www.sailrite.com/Snap-Fastener-Cloth-to-Surface-5-8-Stud-Stainless-Steel

thanks for any help with attaching these snaps to fabric.

[Sunbeam]

[My IRA]

Jake,

The stainless snaps are much more difficult to set in fabric using an inexpensive tool. The difference in the end product is distortion in the button cover when set with a driver or vise grip type tools. My advice would be to purchase the fabric through Sailrite and shop for the snaps locally where they have a professional set tool (most will loan it out or let you use it in the store). It will make your job easier with perfect results. Don't forget to reinforce the fabric where you locate the snaps.

[Sunbeam]

[potter water]

You can also mark up your fabric and just spend the few bucks to let a professional shop put in the snaps.

[Jake B]

thanks for all the info I will deff price out the shope here to put snaps in or look at stores that may lend the tool also first. and no misdirection sumbeam, I appreciate the info. i'm sure the snaps will be reinforced. I am not doing the actual making of these my gma is doing the sewing part.

[beermanPDX]

[chriscarrera]

I vote sail-rite, used them for snaps and the press and snap tool, when I did window covering on tomcat. By the way, I used duck cloth/canva, cheap and blocked out light nicely. Did not feel sunbrella was needed in that application.
Also, doubled up the thickness where the buttons are placed with a 1 inch circular piece of canvas, so they don't rip out.
Full disclosure: had mother in law sew on black edging.

[journey on]

I installed window covers on Journey On. I got the snaps, etc. from Defender:Snaps, Grommets and a vise grip tool . All worked well and were cheap in cost, not quality.

BTW, if you do order from Defender get a top snapper for putting up any outside canvass.

And we installed the front window canvass inside, instead of outside. I'm not sure why people put the front covering outside, but it's a lot easier to put it up at night from the inside.

Boris

[rogerbum]

[potter water]

A protective cover over the front windows is an absolute necessity when towing. It needs to be made up by pros probably because it should be two layers with a matt cushion layer in between the two to handle rocks. Don't leave home without it. If you don't have a front outside padded window cover, it is only a matter of when not if you will lose a window while towing. I lost mine while pulling through a wall mart parking lot. The truck rear tire picked up a quarter, flung it up and at 20 mph, took out the center window. I hadn't put up the front cover because I was "just going a couple miles."

[thataway]

A few comments: I have used a number of various setting tools for the snaps, including commercial grade when I helped my sailmaker friends out. The anvil/setter is a bit crude will work--and will deform slightly the button. I have owned and used one of the Vise Grip sets for over 40 years and have set hundreds of the snaps with them.

On the corners I would cut a patch the same radius as the corner, and then slip a piece of 6 to 8 oz dacron between the pieces of canvas. I would put binding tape around all of the edges.

My current front window cover is just single Sunbrella--and so far so good--probably have towed C Dories over 15,000 miles or more with no window damage...but the padded would be better.

[journey on]

Regarding putting the front cover on the inside, I was thinking of the big trawlers that never get towed. Their cover is always on the outside and I've never figured out why. At night, it's a lot easier to put it on from the inside. And I wish I had an explanation for that.

Having a cover over the front windows during towing has never occurred to me and I've been towing boats for (lets see, that one then that,) OK, 40 years. The ones with glass in the front have been pretty high. And that includes the c-Dory 25. I've never had a rock reach up there. Been through one hailstorm coming back from the Great Lakes and that hammered everything including the truck. I wished for a cover over everything. For the 22 which is closer to the ground, rocks may be a worry, and the extra cloth up front should help. Your choice.

Anyway the snaps and tool is good advice.

Boris

[Jake B]

thanks for all the feedback I looked on defenders web site but they seem to be a bit higher in $. I like defender I have used them a few times in the past.

All the coverings we are making right now will go on the inside of the boat. I had not really thought about covering the outside while in tow but seems to be a good idea and will look into making some of those as well.

I am first going to price out how much the canvas shop here in town will charge to pop them in for me. I just don't see needing the tool after this project. so if its reasonable I will go that way. If not I will look more into the different tools. thanks again for all the info and links. looking forward to having these made.

[Captains Cat]