cover stretcher?

[divo]

I recently purchased a used 1986 boat. Its a runabout and i tried to install the cover for the front and it seems to have shrunk. Any tips on streching it out? i can get prob 75% of the snaps in.....some of the rest are real close.....some are close to an inch away from where they should be. I tried putting it in thr dryer for a few minutes but that made it worse (oops). now i am hanging weight off one of the snaps that is short. do you think this will work? Thanks

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: cover stretcher?

Moisten it with water, try to get the corners snapped, then place some weight on it for a while to stretch until you can get the rest of the snaps done up.<br /><br />If it has a center support pole, you can use that pole to exert upwards forces instead of adding weight. Just continue to raise the pole up periodically while spraying the cover with water to keep it moist. Later, when you let the center pole down a bit you'll be surprised at how much easier it will be to snap.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: cover stretcher?

If that doesn't work, soak it in a tub or bucket of water that has a little laundry softener added to it(couple of ounces). It will then go on easily & the softener will have some waterproofing effect.

 

[bayman]

Re: cover stretcher?

After getting it fit it might be a good idea to put some more water repellant on it too.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: cover stretcher?

Forget about spraying with water.You have to soak it as Relent states.Snap all you can and use a pliers to pull the snaps that are close.Where it is way off you will need to let some water pool and place something like 2 liter soda bottles on it.You need some weight to stretch it.Dont move it until it is completely dry.The dryer fiasco probably put you past the point of saving the cover.The best stretch I ever had was when we got 8 inches of snow on Easter Sunday a few years back.The even weight stretched everything quite evenly.Unfortunately I did not need any stretching so that really screwed me up. Charlie

 

[divo]

Re: cover stretcher?

Thanks everyone for the tips. I soaked it in cold water and some fabric softener, then tried to install it. I got all but 2 snaps by pulling with hand and a couple with a pliers. The last 2 are close but just cant get them. I am streching them out now with a ratchet strap and am pretty sure they will work. Thank You<br /><br /> Dave