Turnbutton or Lift-the-dot

I have both (and press studs) on my Morgan hood and tonneau and mostly lift a dots on the sprayhood on boats and to be honest I have no preference in terms of functionality. The advantage of lift a dot is that nothing protrudes but arguably they are more difficult to both attach and detach particularly if the fit is tight. I find this particularly awkward sometimes on the Morgan as the fabric is tough and when cold does not stretch well.
 
My cockpit cover has a combination of both. Mostly turn buttons but a few Dots where there isn't a lot of tension on them..
 
I have very narrow sidedecks and the sprayhood was fitted with lift-the-dot fasteners. The spikes would draw blood on my shins when squeezing past going forward. I am changing them to Q-Snap which are low profile and with a smooth outer surface.
Several varieties Q-Snap
I can't comment on effectiveness yet but they look as if they will do the trick.
Contender sell them in UK but they didn't have the kit I wanted so I got them direct from Netherlands.
 
My main cover has LTD type fasteners, though maybe a different brand, and they gave up after twenty years, which leads me to think that the twist type might be more durable
 
I have used both types and both have there bad points. The Lift a dot can be difficult to remove but the pins that are left went undone are quite smooth and robust and I never been injured with one. The turn buckles are easy to use but the bit that is left on the deck is quite fragile a good clout with a boot or a rope and it either brakes or bends. I now favour the Lift A dot.
David MH
 
Whichever you choose, an occasional drop of something - oil or ACF50, whatever you have - on the little springy bits or the little turny bits is a good idea...
 
I'm not keen on fasteners that have a bit sticking out, so I used SS press studs on my on a cover I hade made.
They were ok for a few years but with time, the cover shrank slightly making the press studs hard to connect.
After the recent Gales, the wind must have got under the cover and lifted it, undoing the studs and the cover has never been seen again!
On my new cover I have decided to go with Kayak D Ring Deck Fitting Tie Down Loops, webbing straps stiched to the cover and Plastic Cam Lever flap buckles which I hope wont come undone, allow for shrinkage and the D rings won't have pointy bits protruding.
 
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