canopy popper broken

[PEJ]

Taking off the canopy for the first time this season and the poppers (is press studs the proper name for them?) where a bit hard to get off. Gave a good yank and, you guessed it, the sodding thing broke.

So now the "male" bit on the boat has half the "female" bit still stuck on it and the canopy has an empty cap on it.

How do I mend it?

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

sorry i cant help with repair, BUT, for what its worth, i put vaseline on my press studs and canopy zippers and that keeps them from going "stiff"......

 

[gsturgeon]

It's easy to lever a stiff popper off with the bowl of an old teaspoon, the bowl rocking on the fibreglass doesnt do any harm - at least not in my experience. You should be able to remove the broken off femail bit this way.

 

[colingr]

sorry i cant help with repair, BUT, for what its worth, i put vaseline on my press studs and canopy zippers and that keeps them from going "stiff"......

+ 1, twice a year job.

 

[Danpompey]

We've recently used C&J Marine to replace some of ours and fix a zip.

Cheap and friendly service, they'll do it whilst you wait also.

Based in Chichester (not sure where you are).

 

[Seahope]

Taking off the canopy for the first time this season and the poppers (is press studs the proper name for them?) where a bit hard to get off. Gave a good yank and, you guessed it, the sodding thing broke.

So now the "male" bit on the boat has half the "female" bit still stuck on it and the canopy has an empty cap on it.

How do I mend it?

I think I bought a repair set from eBay. Seems camping & caravan shops have these in stock but the closest to me would have been more in petrol than I paid. I bought the replacement studs etc. from the local chandlers. Worked well for me.

Similar to: http://www.sussexmarinesupplies.com/product_info.php?products_id=213

 

[Ripster]

Sea screw should have the bits you need, have a look here: http://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm?BOAT-COVERS---BIMINI-FITTINGS-MARINE-GRADE&l=0000000264 No connection, just used them in the past for lots of fittings and fasteners etc and they have always been good.

 

[AndieMac]

You've probably seen the other press-stud thread running by now, but agree with the guys that have said add a small amount of lubricant to the female parts occasionally.
If they are reluctant to part easily, I carefully slide a very small blade screw-driver between them and give a gentle twist, making sure the blade is rolled on the flat metal base of the male stud and not the gel coat.

 

[PEJ]

agree with the guys that have said add a small amount of lubricant to the female parts occasionally.

Ooo er!

 

[PEJ]

Seems camping & caravan shops have these in stock

Hmmm....

I have a branch of Towsure on the way to the boat, looks like I'll have to pay them a visit.

 

[AndieMac]

Ooo er!

You'll have to forgive me, I've lead a very sheltered life and clearly struggle with the English language

 

[PEJ]

Just bring "closure" (no pun intended) as the Americans would say to this thread.

Big thank you to Saraband for lending me the tool to fix the studs. It was very easy. Towsure (caravan place) had the replacement studs.

I even mended a couple on the boat next to me that I noticed had broken in the same way. Hope he does not mind, I did not ask him!