Odds and Ends

NorCal Boater

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Jan 24, 2008
3,451
Covington, LA
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
No boat....no engines
I sold my boat last July and have no plans to get another one but tools and parts keep popping up in my garage.

I have a new Merc bellows installation tool and a snap tool. $15-20 for both plus you pay shipping. Make me an offer.
Shawn
67B2787D-93F9-402C-BC19-CF146229957C.jpeg
 
I am getting confused... do you need a snap tool to undo your snaps?...
On older boats the snaps can get a bit tough to remove if not lubed occasionally. The other end of the tool really helps when putting snaps on when the canvas has shrunk a bit.
 
I am getting confused... do you need a snap tool to undo your snaps?...

Sea Ray canvas is ok, but not great. On many of the designs there is a lot of it. And with a lot of pieces comes a lot of snaps. On a boat with a camper back taking it all down can be a 30-45 minute job largely because the snaps could be reinforced better. As the canvas ages care has to be taken to avoid tearing it at the snap. This tools speeds the process along because it engages the snap and puts no load on the fabric.
 
Henry you are a trip...I have been dealing with canvas and snaps for 40 years. And never would I have needed a tool... that just makes me laugh... a crutch and a tool :)

Thanks, you made my day with that. After retiring I thought I’d never hear anyone tell me, “we’ve been doin this for forty years like this and we aren’t gonna change!”. It never gets old.
 
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I lubricate my snaps a couple times per year. I've used chap-stick because it's easy to use, and works well. Quick touch on each snap, rub a little and move on. When you attach the snap it gets into the other part. One chap stick lasts for several uses on the whole boat.

For zippers I got a small tub of lanolin. Been using it for years... apply a little and then run the zipper to spread it around. Works great, and this $8 tub has lasted at least 4 years.
 
I sold my boat last July and have no plans to get another one but tools and parts keep popping up in my garage.

I have a new Merc bellows installation tool and a snap tool. $15-20 for both plus you pay shipping. Make me an offer.
Shawn
View attachment 95741
How do you use the bellows tool? Seems like it would be good to have in my toolbox...
 
Truthfully I sold the boat before I ever had a chance to use it. In theory, its for the exhaust bellows and the 2 half disks at the end fit into a rib on the bellows. IT then is supposed to stretch the bellows a bit and you are then able to pill the bellows on to the bell housing. It was $49 new on Amazon but I'll take $20+ shipping.

Shawn
 
On older boats the snaps can get a bit tough to remove if not lubed occasionally. The other end of the tool really helps when putting snaps on when the canvas has shrunk a bit.

Yep. I've had snaps pull out of the canvas and pull apart because the cap was stuck on the stud. Salt water can get in the snap, crystalize, and jam the cap onto the stud. Slightly shrunken canvas (such as when old or cold) also puts a lot of stress on the snap, making it hard to release. This tool helps pop off the snap without damage to the canvas or the snap.
 
On older boats the snaps can get a bit tough to remove if not lubed occasionally. The other end of the tool really helps when putting snaps on when the canvas has shrunk a bit.

2 prior boats ago was a 270 DA. (99). The front of the enclosure had the tracks that you kinda used your thumbs to slip in....almost like a ziplock. My thumbs still hurt from taking that off and on....
 

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