Stainless Steel Snap Fasteners for Boat Covers – Complete A+B, C, D Set

Stainless steel snap fasteners for covers provide a complete fastening system widely used in the marine industry to secure canvas, boat covers, upholstery, and bimini tops. The set covers three main components:

• Snap Cap (Female part A + B): This is the top female portion of the fastener – consisting of the cap (the visible outer button) and a spring socket inside. The cap is made of polished stainless steel with a 17 mm diameter, giving it an attractive look and excellent rust resistance. The inner socket (part B) contains a brass spring that ensures a tight “snap” when connected to the male stud. This female snap is installed into the cover or fabric by punching a small hole and crimping the two pieces together (using a snap installation tool or pliers). Once installed, it remains firmly attached to the canvas, ready to repeatedly snap on and off as needed.
• Stud (Male part C): This is the protruding male piece that attaches to a solid surface or boat structure. Made of stainless steel, it features a small post (stud) onto which the female cap snaps. Typically, this stud is mounted on a rigid frame, deck, or console by means of a screw or rivet. The included part 10.303.12 (C) in our set is a through-bolting stud – it’s designed to be inserted from the backside of a thin panel (under the deck or behind a console) so that only the stud head projects on the outside to accept the snap cap. In practice, the stud can be secured with a nut from behind or by using the backing plate if attaching it to fabric, ensuring it stays firmly in place.
• Backing Plate (part D): This is a flat washer or counter flange, made of stainless steel (or nickel-plated brass), used to reinforce the stud when mounting it on fabric. If you need to attach a male stud onto a canvas (for instance, to allow two canvas panels to snap to each other), you would use part D in conjunction with part C. The stud is inserted through the fabric, the backing plate D is placed on the opposite side of the fabric, and then the stud is either riveted or peened over to lock it (depending on the stud design). This creates a male snap assembly on a piece of fabric, which can mate with a female cap on another fabric piece.

Advantages and Usage:
This type of press-stud fastening is a de-facto standard in marine applications because of its reliability and ease of use. You’ll hear a distinct “snap” click when the parts are fastened correctly, indicating a secure connection. Marine-grade stainless steel (AISI 316) ensures that the fasteners won’t rust or stain your canvas, which is crucial for maintaining the appearance and integrity of boat covers and cushions. The brass spring inside the socket retains its tension over time and will not crack or corrode with repeated use.

Applications: These snap fasteners are suitable for securing all kinds of covers to a boat or even to each other. For example: use the female caps (A+B) along the edges of a cockpit cover or sprayhood, and install the male studs (C) on the boat’s windshield frame or cockpit coaming – this allows the cover to snap on snugly. If you have detachable side panels or curtains that need to attach to a main canopy, you can install male snaps on those panels as well (using the C + D combination) so they can fasten to female snaps on the primary cover. The system is flexible and modular – you choose the combination of parts depending on your needs.

Installation: Attaching the female snap to fabric requires a simple tool to punch a hole and crimp the cap and socket together. Attaching the male stud to a hard surface can be done by drilling a pilot hole and using a screw or rivet (our part C studs can be used with a nut or tapped into a threaded hole if applicable). In our set, part 10.303.12 (C) is intended for through-bolt mounting (with a nut or backing plate), which provides a very strong hold. If you prefer a self-tapping stud for wood or fiberglass, those are available separately (not included in this set). Once installed, maintenance is minimal – occasionally rinse the snaps with fresh water to remove salt and grit, and you can apply a tiny bit of lubricant to the spring mechanism if needed to keep the action smooth.

With these stainless snap fasteners, your boat cover will remain taut and secure, preventing it from coming loose in high winds or while trailering. This set is universal and compatible with common marine snap systems (Osculati, Lalizas, etc.), allowing you to expand an existing setup or replace worn parts easily. By choosing this high-grade snap kit, you invest in reliability and longevity – your canvas stays put, protecting your boat and equipment, while still allowing quick removal when you want to take the cover off. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that every corner of your cover is held down by a proven marine fastening solution that won’t let you down.