Sealing Snap Fasteners

[leeccoll]

Interested in any feedback or thoughts on this....

I'm getting a custom canvas cover made for the back of my boat next month. Fabricator seems excellent as far customer satisfaction, and when I gave him the deposit I asked him if he planned on using caulk/sealant on the undersides of the snap fasteners.

He said he normally doesn't do it. I already have a wet hull, not looking to add to the party so I was thinking of buying some caulk and asking him to do it when I drop off the boat.

Am I being too cautious with this? The snap fasteners will be screwed on the outside of the gunwale.

Thanks for your 2 cents!!

Lee

 

[Fishtales]

I would bed them in 4200 or a caulk. Provide the caulk and gun, it is a simple step and there should be not additional charge.

 

[Halfhitch]

I think if you want sealant on those snaps you would be better off doing it yourself after the installation. I don't know your contractor but if that is something he doesn't do on any of his regular jobs then he won't be good at it and it will likely fall to a minimum wage bottom tier worker that won't have the level of concern for neatness that you obviously have. Remember the old adage...."if you want some done right...…….."

 

[Ky Grady]

I'd bed them. Provide everything and ask if they would do it. If they want to charge extra, just bed them yourself. Most snaps are phillip screws, just back them out, dab of sealer, screw back in, done.

I went through all mine and replaced them as they were salted up and nasty, sealed as I replaced.

 

[everwhom]

If you don't bed them they will get crevice corrosion and bleed red rust deposits all over your fiberglass and eventually fail entirely! 4200 is the right bedding compound for this application.

 

[DennisG01]

Manufacturer's, when building boats, typically do NOT seal the snaps (threads) with anything. For the most part, there's really no way for water to get in since the threads bite into the glass and seal tight. HOWEVER, anytime I replace/add snaps I always add some sealant as an extra pre-caution. Sort of a "best practice" thing. All you (or your guy) needs to do is put a small dab of sealant (any kind will do - get the cheap stuff for this application) on the thread, about half way down. I be surprised if he wasn't accomodating to this - it only takes an extra few seconds per snap.

 

[leeccoll]

Thanks for all responses, the installer is a cool guy, so it wont be a problem for him to apply sealant to the fasteners.
I was a bit surprised he didn't do it to all installs.
We have a good deal of aluminum hulls where I live, but for sure mine will be sealed one way or another.
I am very grateful for all of your input.
I can honestly say everyone had a valid point.
Appreciate you!!

 

[Doc Stressor]

Are you using Gianola's? They made a cover for my aluminum boat that is still holding up 22 years later. They should be willing to do anything you want them to do. I used to show up at 4:30 with a 6 pack. They did every modification I wanted.

 

[leeccoll]

Yes Doc,
Rick is doing the work.
I'm not worried about the quality of work, as he goes to the flowing tide for a few "pops" most days after work and I can hunt him down lol.
He's such a nice person.

The Gianola Family is pretty famous, there also was another family member's shop in Sausalito on main street, I remember it well.....they both use the same logo as their signage.