Female Canopy Clip – Brass Socket for Boat Cover

The female canopy clip (code 03974) is a spring-loaded socket/grommet installed on canvas, serving as the counterpart to the male fasteners described above. Essentially, it’s a brass cup with an internal spring feature that grips the stud of the male clip and holds it in place. This product is a crucial part of any cover fastening system – without it, you wouldn’t be able to secure the fabric to its anchor point.

Construction: The clip is made from high-quality brass with a nickel (or chrome) plating for added protection and an attractive finish. It consists of two pieces: the top ring with a smooth, rounded flange that sits on the outer side of the fabric, and the bottom ring/eyelet that attaches from the backside. When these are crimped together during installation, a springy “washer” inside is captured, which is the component that actually provides the snap tension. The hole diameter is standard (~5/8 inch or ~15-17 mm), making it compatible with the majority of male fastener counterparts.

Installation: To install this female clip, a hole slightly smaller than the grommet is punched in the canvas at the desired location. The top part of the clip is inserted from the front side, the bottom part from the backside, and using a setting tool (hand die or press), the two are crimped together. When properly set, the clip forms a smooth grommet – no sharp edges protrude, and the fabric’s cut edge is neatly encased in metal, preventing fraying or tearing.

Function: Once installed, the female clip functions as a spring socket. When a male stud (from clip 03997 or base 03977, or the turn-button post of fastener 03975) is pushed into it, the spring mechanism inside expands slightly and then snaps around the stud – you hear the characteristic “click”. That indicates the connection is secure. To disengage, sufficient force must be applied to overcome the spring (or in the case of the turn-button, the tab must be rotated to release the stud).

Applications: The female clip 03974 is universal – it’s used anywhere on a boat’s canvas where quick and reliable fastening is needed. You’ll find these sockets on boat covers, console covers, bimini tops, side curtains, marine upholstery (to hold cushions in place) and more. Often these grommets double as reinforced pass-through holes for cords or bungees when not snapped to a stud. For example, if left unattached, you could thread a rope through them to additionally cinch down a cover.

Replacement Part: Since these clips can wear over time – the spring may lose some tension after thousands of cycles, or they might get damaged under extreme stress – product code 03974 is excellent for replacements and repairs. Its size conforms to industry standards (Osculati, Lalizas, etc., use the same size), meaning you can swap out old rusty or broken canvas grommets with this model.

By outfitting your covers with high-quality female clips, your covers will snap tight and stay put. Combination 03974 + 03977 yields a strong fabric-to-boat bond, while 03974 + 03997 yields a fabric-to-fabric connection. Investing in brass, corrosion-proof components ensures that your fastening system won’t be the weak link in your setup. Instead, it will operate flawlessly season after season, keeping your boat and canvas secure against the elements.