Cockpit surround

[CaptnRanger]

Having cockpit enclosure made. I’ve seen pics of enclosures secured with loops. Installer is unsure of these wants to use snaps. Any advise?

 

[Mike and Sarah]

We made our own enclosure on our 27 and used snaps. When we got out 31 last summer we had the enclosure made by king canvas. King made it with the stretch cords and mounted pegs on the boat. I much prefer the cords as they is easier to to attach and remove than the snaps. Plus the best part is they keep the enclosure tight. The snaps allowed flopping of the enclosure. I was concerned that the pegs would catch fishing line and other things but that never happened. I’ll try and PM you a pic of ours.

 

[Diatom]

I have snaps top & vertical join to cabin, elastic loops at bottom. Loops keep things tight, yes easier than snaps.
Pic in gallery.

/tmm

 

[Wee Venture]

+1 for the shock cord loops. Ours was also done by King Marine. Had a previous boat with snaps. The snaps are much harder to fasten IMO, especially when the canvas shrinks as it tends to do at times. The spring in the loops keeps the canvas taut. Would not go back to snaps.

John

 

[SJI Sailor]

We have loops bolstered in a couple of places with snaps. +1 that the loops are preferable. Snaps are almost always difficult and sometimes bordering on impossible, while the loops work great even with thin gloves on.

In particular, we can secure the loops before zipping, which helps tremendously (the zippers get twisted etc after being rolled up). Trying to snap first, or to zip without having the ends tied down, would be much tougher.

The few snaps we have are in places like the lower part behind the transom door, where it makes things neater to snap down but is not essential.