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I’ve been searching the forum for info on drilling holes in the Mac and adding snaps. I came with thoughts of enclosure canvas snaps but have now also learned that some Macs came with snaps on the seat cushions? That’s a heck of an idea. So now two questions regarding the snaps. 1) Should I have any reservations drilling these guys into the boat (assuming I’ll do things properly and bed the screw in) and 2) While I’m at it why on earth wouldn’t I add snaps to our cockpit cushions to keep them in place?

My 26X came with screw-in snaps all over the place. All the cockpit cushions are snapped on, and much of the cockpit enclosure is snapped on.

I added canvas covers to the fuel lockers using screw-on snaps. Simple, easy, and durable. So far I have had to replace one screw-in snap, on the captain's seat. I had to drill out the hole, fill with epoxy, and re-bed the snap. The boat will be 20 years old this year, and I will have owned it for 12! Man, time flies.

Same here. Mine came with screw on snaps for all of the cockpit seat cushions. None have pulled out of the seat but I've lost a couple on the cushions.

I have the same. The snap that was screwed into the center of the back of the captain's seat has pulled out. I haven't fixed it yet. I was thinking of using a snap with a machine screw and a nut, but I haven't done the research to see if something like that exists. If I ever find them, I might try them on the screws that hold the windows in to attach some curtains.

I've also used these adhesive snaps to hold my cabin cushions in place (https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Male-Sn ... 882&sr=8-8). Watch out for the $20 shipping charge from that seller on Amazon! They've worked OK for three seasons now with only one pulling off. I plan to restick it with some 3M sealant.

Jeff

Would you all feel safe enough just drilling a hole, wrapping the screw in butyl tape and screwing them in or would you hog out the hole, fill with epoxy and then set the fastener? What's the lifespan of a butyl bedded screw/bolt before you should think about rebedding? I ask because last night I saw many posts from other boat owners (Mac and non-Mac) showing photos of brown ooze going out of snaps and it was rotting wood core, not rust.

For our cushions I think the easiest would be to put a few snaps on the vertical side of the seat (bottom) cushion and either sew tabs with snaps onto the cushions or sew reinforcements onto the existing vinyl and put the snap through there. The seat backs - I'd have to think that one through a bit. But I suspect the snap on the vertical is better than a snap on a horizontal in most any situation to eliminate any concern of moisture pooling around the screw head.

I've never had good luck with butyl tape on fasteners that I have to turn to tighten. It's awesome on stuff that has a nut, but when you have to turn the screw it gets balled up. What's everyone else's experience?

Jeff

I got tired of fixing wood screws in fiberglass. Every time one of them pulls out I replace it with a rivet nut and a machine screw.

On the cabin cushions I'm using adhesive backed velcro strips.