A pontoon is a flotation device with buoyancy sufficient to float itself as well as a heavy load on the surface of water. A pontoon boat is a flattish boat that relies on pontoons to float.
Pontoons are tubes which contain more than sufficient amount of buoyancy. This feature allows boat designers to design and create massive decks which can then be customized according to the owners’ preferences. Customers can have extended lounge areas, sun pads and many more similar luxurious options. This also makes pontoon boats favourably suitable to accommodate large groups of people as well.
With all these characteristics and features, it makes sense that pontoon boats should be protected from rain, sun and extreme weather conditions to make sure their longevity is well extended. Pontoon boat covers are used for the same purpose.
Boats usually take a lot of abuse both on and off water. The weather conditions including the rain and the sun, causes considerable wear and tear to the boat. The corrosive effects of salt and water in addition to the occasional collisions, all these add up to the damages the boat faces. Thus it becomes important to cover the boats when they are not in use or in storage. The cover would shield the boat from the worst effects of the above mentioned factors. These covers are also meant for winter storage.
Covering the boats, similar to various aspects of boating provides a lot of choices, but one should tread carefully to decide the type of cover depending upon the features of the particular boat and the nature of the usage. Deciding which type of boat cover is suitable for your boat is an important decision as it is a matter of preventing the boat from degrading. Covers can be either custom or universal. Custom covers are made specifically for a particular type of boat whereas; universal covers are made for general boat models.
To fasten the cover with the boat, a small screw resembling structure called snap is used. To extend their longevity, they need lubrication at regular intervals. There are different types of snaps, depending upon the wind and angle factors.
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Button Fasteners: They consist of a button and a socket crimped together. Dot fasteners and Fasnap are common names in this category.
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YKK Snads: YKK has introduced a new line of boat cover snaps, domed plastic with adhesive backs. They work well with all types of buttons and durable snaps.
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Screw Studs: These are used in companionship of the button fasteners.
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Pull the Dot Snaps: Even though they look similar to the glove buttons, they only come out in one direction. It has a little flat surface, which is designed to hook over the edge of the flange.
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Curtain Fasteners: They are directional fasteners, also known as twist fasteners or turn fasteners. They are easy to use and have a low failure rate.
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Lift the Dot Snaps: They are also directional fasteners, but the problem with them is that there is a tiny spring inside the eyelet hole which sometimes gets sprung and doesn’t fit over the top.
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