Replacing Canvas Boat Cover Snaps: A Step-By-Step Guide

Keeping a boat in good condition requires regular maintenance and the replacement of certain parts. One such part that often needs replacing is the canvas boat cover snap, which can be prone to breaking due to crimping failure or the stress of wind and weather. Luckily, replacing a canvas boat cover snap is a simple process that can be done by hand and does not require expensive tools. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to replace a canvas boat cover snap, ensuring your boat is protected and secure.

How to Replace a Canvas Boat Cover Snap

Assess the repair

Before you begin to repair a pulled snap, it's important to assess the damage. Rarely will a snap pull out cleanly, so you can simply install another one. More often, some degree of tearing will have occurred. This means that installing the new snap at the same location will require sewing or gluing a patch to the underside of the fabric. Make your patch at least four times bigger than the hole.

If you don't reuse the hole, you'll install the cap close by in a new hole that you punch. Doing so may require a snap extender for the female snap on the fabric to reach the male snap on the boat.

If the hole is not too large where the snap pulled out, you can achieve a temporary replacement by placing a patch behind the hole that is not sewn in place. However, sewing the patch is better.

If your boat snaps have pulled out of the fiberglass and left an enlarged hole, you can try a screw stud with a #10 screw base to see if it's large enough to hold in the fiberglass. If the hole is still too large, you can use a plastic drywall anchor. Drill a hole for the anchor using a 3/16” drill bit, add some 4200 marine adhesive, insert the anchor, and then secure your screw into the anchor.

Sew or glue a patch to the underside of the fabric

Sewing or gluing a patch to the underside of the fabric is a good way to repair a snap that has pulled out of your boat cover. This is because snaps rarely pull out cleanly, and tearing usually occurs.

If you are sewing a patch, use a thread like Tenara thread or braided fishing line, and a good-sized needle. Sewing is the most permanent and durable solution and is a good skill to learn. However, it can be difficult to push a needle through thick materials, so consider using fabric glue or an iron-on patch.

If you are gluing a patch, use a product like Amazing Goop, available from hardware stores and online. You will need to weight or clamp the patch for several hours. Be aware that glue is not always reliable for creating a long-lasting bond, and you may need to reapply it.

Reuse the hole or punch a new one

Reusing the hole for a new snap is possible, but it may require a snap extender if the female snap on the fabric cannot reach the male snap on the boat. If the hole is too large, you can sew a patch onto the back of the canvas before installing the new snap. The patch should be at least four times bigger than the hole. If you don't want to reuse the hole, you can punch a new one close by.

To reuse the hole, insert the barrel or shaft of the button part of the snap through the hole from the top side of the fabric. Then, slide the socket part of the snap onto the button's barrel from below. If you're using a pliers tool, squeeze hard. If you're using a setting tool, make sure everything is lined up and deliver a sharp blow with a hammer to rivet the button to the socket.

If you decide to punch a new hole, you can use a 1/8-inch hole punch or a Pres-N-Snap tool, which punches the hole and installs the snap in one go. You can also carefully use an awl to make the hole. After creating the new hole, follow the same steps as above for inserting and securing the snap.

Insert the snap's barrel or shaft through the hole

To insert the snap's barrel or shaft through the hole, you will need to first ensure that the canvas is reinforced so the snap will not rip through the fabric. If you need to repair the canvas first, do so.

Then, mark where the fastener will go on your cover. Next, you will need to insert the snap's barrel or shaft through the hole from the top side of the fabric. If the hole is worn large, sew a patch four times the area of the hole onto the back of the canvas first. If the hole is not too large, you can place a patch behind the hole that is not sewn in place, although sewing is better.

Now, place the female section of the snap onto the post of the dome. Smooth out any wrinkles or puckers in the canvas.

You are now ready to place the punch or "set" onto the post and, with a firm rap (but not a mighty blow), hit the punch and deform the post down onto the dome.

Place the socket part of the snap onto the button's barrel

Now that you have inserted the barrel or shaft of the button part of the snap through the hole from the top side of the fabric, it's time to place the socket part of the snap onto the button's barrel from below. If you are using a pliers tool, squeeze hard. If you are using the setting tool, make sure everything is lined up and, with the canvas on a sturdy surface, deliver a sharp blow with your hammer. You are essentially riveting the button to the socket.

If you are using a Pres-N-Snap tool, you can punch the hole and install the snap in one go, allowing you to use your other hand to hold the canvas. This tool is available from marine supply outfits like Sailrite and on Amazon.

If you are using a setting tool and anvil, place the anvil on a flat, stable surface that won't give under the blow from a hammer. A scrap piece of plywood laid on the ground will work. Place the female section of the snap onto the post of the dome, then use the setting tool to deliver a sharp rap. This setup is better than inexpensive pliers when installing snaps through thick, doubled-over seams.

If you are using a basic pliers-like tool, such as the one that comes with the Bass Pro Shops 73-piece snap kit, simply place the female section of the snap onto the post of the dome and squeeze hard.

Frequently asked questions