Snap Unfastener

MarineBob

MarineBob

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I think I might have seen a post on a snap unsnapping tool here somewhere. But I thought I would offer my endorsement for these simple devices. As my boat was getting put away for the winter, I figured I'd remove the cushions on seating that looked to have not been removed since the boat was new in 2013. They need some good cleaning. The tool worked like a champ. A couple of snaps broke because they were significantly corroded but none of the vinyl was damaged. There are a number of the tools available on Amazon and I am sure elsewhere but the two ended style is what I got. Every now and then you find a tool that is a one job device and this is one of those that does the job nicely.

This is what I got but there are a bunch of choices.

 
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MarineBob said:
I think I might have seen a post on a snap unsnapping tool here somewhere. But I thought I would offer my endorsement for these simple devices. As my boat was getting put away for the winter, I figured I'd remove the cushions on seating that looked to have not been removed since the boat was new in 2013. They need some good cleaning. The tool worked like a champ. A couple of snaps broke because they were significantly corroded but none of the vinyl was damaged. There are a number of the tools available on Amazon and I am sure elsewhere but the two ended style is what I got. Every now and then you find a tool that is a one job device and this is one of those that does the job nicely.

This is what I got but there are a bunch of choices.

Click to expand...
I have the same tool and it works well for unsnapping but not as well for snapping, My canvas was so tight in some areas that it was just about impossible to close all snaps. What made a huge difference was snap extenders that I use in a couple of spots to make it easier to line up the snaps. I bought a pack of combo 1 inch/2 inch extenders. Other sizes are available. I do wish the strap color was an option. The black ones that are standard stand out on the white hull
 
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MarineBob said:
I think I might have seen a post on a snap unsnapping tool here somewhere. But I thought I would offer my endorsement for these simple devices. As my boat was getting put away for the winter, I figured I'd remove the cushions on seating that looked to have not been removed since the boat was new in 2013. They need some good cleaning. The tool worked like a champ. A couple of snaps broke because they were significantly corroded but none of the vinyl was damaged. There are a number of the tools available on Amazon and I am sure elsewhere but the two ended style is what I got. Every now and then you find a tool that is a one job device and this is one of those that does the job nicely.

This is what I got but there are a bunch of choices.

Click to expand...
These are the ticket. The plastic GW ones lose their effectiveness as they wear.
 
seasick said:
I have the same tool and it works well for unsnapping but not as well for snapping, My canvas was so tight in some areas that it was just about impossible to close all snaps. What made a huge difference was snap extenders that I use in a couple of spots to make it easier to line up the snaps. I bought a pack of combo 1 inch/2 inch extenders. Other sizes are available. I do wish the strap color was an option. The black ones that are standard stand out on the white hullha
Click to expand...
I had my side curtains remade this past summer and when the person that made the curtains came to install them, she had a tool that would grab the snap from the outside and allow her to pull the sunbrella fabric until it was able to be snapped. After a few hours the sunberella stretched and they now fit perfect. I think the tool she used was the backend of the tool that Fishtale posted. I remember remarking that there is a tool; for everything.
 
Legend said:
I had my side curtains remade this past summer and when the person that made the curtains came to install them, she had a tool that would grab the snap from the outside and allow her to pull the sunbrella fabric until it was able to be snapped. After a few hours the sunberella stretched and they now fit perfect. I think the tool she used was the backend of the tool that Fishtale posted. I remember remarking that there is a tool; for everything.
Click to expand...
The tool that the OP posted has a fitting on its bottom for hooking onto the female head of the snap allowing one to pull the snap and canvas taut.
One odd thing is that I am led to believe that sunbrella does not stretch...
 
Just discovered the original GW snap tool in the docs bag for my "new to me" 185 Tournament. I don't think the cushions had been removed since 2005, that plastic tool did not fare well! It did the job removing the cushions, but it wasn't easy! Thanks for the link.
 
Jay Fitz said:
Just discovered the original GW snap tool in the docs bag for my "new to me" 185 Tournament. I don't think the cushions had been removed since 2005, that plastic tool did not fare well! It did the job removing the cushions, but it wasn't easy! Thanks for the link.
Click to expand...
The hook end works better than the tapered (unsnap) end does. I used to use the tapered end to pop open the press in access (pie) plates.
 
seasick said:
The tool that the OP posted has a fitting on its bottom for hooking onto the female head of the snap allowing one to pull the snap and canvas taut.
One odd thing is that I am led to believe that sunbrella does not stretch...
Click to expand...
Not sure if it actually stretched - its possible it just allowed pulling the panel along the track for a better alignment with the snap.
 
Legend said:
Not sure if it actually stretched - its possible it just allowed pulling the panel along the track for a better alignment with the snap.
Click to expand...
yup, that's my experience also. In some areas, I had to add the snap extenders to make all things fit. One problem is that the aft deck cover if put on after the dock lines are on, gets too tight for the rearmost snaps to reach, tool or no tool

If you install the cover before tieing off at the slip, the snaps can be made to fit. But who installs the boat covers before tieing off:)

One other factor are the 'tent' poles under the deck covers. If made too tight, the snaps don't reach. If adjusted looser, rain water can pool:(
The snap extenders help a lot.
 
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