taking her top off

S

scootdogg

New Member
Nov 10, 2010
186
Lake Norman, NC
Boat Info
2002 Sundancer 280
Engines
Twin 4.3 MPI w/ Alpha I Drives
this weekend i have quite a project ahead of me. i ordered all new complete canvas replacement with camper enclosures from great lakes boat tops. i also had a new cockpit cover made. has anyone done this and do you have any tips for efficient ways to install all these snaps? i am pretty OCD about things like this but dont want it to turn into a major pain in the a**.
 
Not what I thought it was going to be.:smt089. I have never installed one of these tops but just take your time and pull the fabric over the snap and mark the center and then put on the snap... hope this helps...
 
Last edited:
OCD!? Ut oh.... I find when I let my OCD kick in, it never goes good. Or I should say it never meets "my" expectation, but my friends will say, "what are you stressing over, it looks perfect!". haha

Do you have to put snaps on the new canvas, or on the boat? Seems I remember your boat having snaps already.

Anyways, I have nothing of any worth to offer you except, if you need help screwing it up I'll help you. hahaha
Your still at Midway right?
 
islandhopper00 said:
OCD!? Ut oh.... I find when I let my OCD kick in, it never goes good. Or I should say it never meets "my" expectation, but my friends will say, "what are you stressing over, it looks perfect!". haha

Do you have to put snaps on the new canvas, or on the boat? Seems I remember your boat having snaps already.

Anyways, I have nothing of any worth to offer you except, if you need help screwing it up I'll help you. hahaha
Your still at Midway right?
Click to expand...

i don't have to install any snaps on the boat... just on the canvas. come on by... there will be plenty of beer and cursing going on i'm sure! i am headed up tomorrow morning and should be there around 11 or so. i hope i can get it done in one day with the help of my buddy.. and you of course! lol
 
I have to take my boat over to Mike Dye's shop tommorrow around noon, he is going to modify the nose of my boat to accept a proper anchor roller, and move the nav light. Then hopefully a windlass is in my future. It's going to be expensive.

After that I'll stop by, maybe afternoon around 1 or 2.
 
Scoot, if you can you might want to get the boat out from under cover to let the sun warm the canvas up. It's amazing how much it shrinks when cold. Hope you got one of them snap installers and not just the "hammer" type. If I get a chance, I'll come don and give you some perfect 20/20 hindsight.LOL :)
 
I think I have one of the cheapy snap installers. I'll check. And you are right about the sun softening things up a bit. Might be goo dto move over to the fuel dock or something.
 
When I installed my new canvas I found using an awl to mark the center of the snap when I pulled the canvas over worked well as the hole I made in the canvas made it easier to get the snap through now. Just remember to start in the middle and work your way out.
 
Larry said:
When I installed my new canvas I found using an awl to mark the center of the snap when I pulled the canvas over worked well as the hole I made in the canvas made it easier to get the snap through now. Just remember to start in the middle and work your way out.
Click to expand...

i ordered the snap tool that they sell. it seems pretty easy... find where you want the snap and squeeze. famous last words right?
 
Like Larry said, start in the center (fore and aft) - do 2 or 3. Then do the middle (port and starboard). Then do the corners. Then fill in the gaps. This isn't the only way to do it, but it has worked for me. That's good you got the snap tool.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Like Larry said, start in the center (fore and aft) - do 2 or 3. Then do the middle (port and starboard). Then do the corners. Then fill in the gaps. This isn't the only way to do it, but it has worked for me. That's good you got the snap tool.
Click to expand...

I have the same boat and installed the cover form Great Lakes in the spring. Good advice already given here. Start on the bow and install a couple on each side of the windshield. Then put a couple on the port and swtich over to the starboard side. It's not bad at all. The awl idea works well. I aslo used some chaulk to mark the hole. I had to install some male snaps on the boat itself too. I put a piece if painters tape, marked the hole, pre-drilled, squirted some 4200 in it and then screwed the snap in. A few beers and some patience is all it takes. The cover really helps keep the interior clean!
 
The easy way to do it is use snaps and screw it threw the canvis to make hole in right spot. Start in center and work out by using screws you can make corections in tension like on back cover also for every snap hole check on old canvis for placment location. Back cover center first then side to sideand at that point check all margins and stay in middle of inside black strip.
 
vandal said:
The easy way to do it is use snaps and screw it threw the canvis to make hole in right spot. Start in center and work out by using screws you can make corections in tension like on back cover also for every snap hole check on old canvis for placment location. Back cover center first then side to sideand at that point check all margins and stay in middle of inside black strip.
Click to expand...

I found it interesting that my local canvas guy used special female snaps that had a sharp pin sticking up. He would position and adjust the canvas over the pins as needed in a non destructive process. Once it was fitted and tension correct, he would mark around the pin with a grease pencil. Then install snaps at the pencil marks. A perfect fit.
 
Hey Scott, I hope you figured out your generator problem.

Steve, I made it to Buca D's in 45 mins! haha

Scott, I would call Great Lakes and see if they will comp you another snap tool, or even just the snap pieces that fit in the jaws. If it was summer I would have hit the water for you.
 
i did get it figured out. i ended up being the sea strainer clogged up with trash. thank god cause it was cold last night and we needed that genny to keep warm! thanks for your help the other day.. your ideas certainly made sense!
 
Scott and Mike It was great to meet you both Sat. and Scott as my wife would say "just pay the man".

Mike you a big hit Sat. evening. you guys need to come on up the creek some evening. And your loan at the ABC store went ot good use that night.

Will talk to guys later.
 
Thanks Steve, I had a great time with you and your friends. I would have stayed longer if I didn't all ready have a date!

I'll have to stop by the marina some weekend.....and I'll bring something to drink too. You know, so we won't have to run to the ABC store! haha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,253
Messages
1,429,373
Members
61,133
Latest member
Willbeckett
Back
Top