US-based Startup NuSnaps has announced its official launch at the Yachting Ventures Startup Pavilion at the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) this October.
The company aims to solve long-standing issues with traditional button snaps used for securing boat cushions and canvas. NuSnaps presents a modern, durable, and corrosion-proof solution to improve fastenings on boats, offering a better alternative to outdated products.
Addressing a Long-Standing Problem
NuSnaps is designed to address the challenges associated with traditional push-the-dot fasteners. These fasteners are often hard to reach, prone to corrosion, and lose their fastening strength over time. Additionally, they frequently freeze or seize up, causing damage to boat cushions and canvas. The NuSnaps team has recognised that while most boat components have evolved, the fastening systems for upholstery and canvas have remained largely unchanged. NuSnaps founder Steven Grabowski commented: “Living on the South Carolina coast, I found maintaining my boat a constant challenge due to saltwater corrosion and the frequent need to replace outdated snap fasteners. Seeking a better solution, I envisioned using magnets but found no existing products.”
NuSnaps is excited to bring this aspect of boating technology up to date with their innovative magnetic fastening system: “After a three-year journey of research and development, over a hundred design changes, and extensive learning about rare earth magnets, we are excited to introduce them to the entire boating community.”
The NuSnaps Solution
NuSnaps has developed a patented system that utilizes N52 neodymium rare earth magnets encased in 2205 stainless steel. This corrosion-resistant system replaces old button snaps with a magnetic fastener that provides both pull force and shear strength to secure boat cushions and canvas. Designed for both new and existing setups, the fasteners are DIY-friendly and reusable. When reupholstering, users can easily transfer the NuSnaps system from old cushions to new ones.
The NuSnaps product line includes two models for attaching to the boat side. The first is a ‘Surface Mount System’ which is installed using screws, similar to traditional button snaps, this system sits slightly above the deck. The second is a ‘Flush Mount System’, this model sits flush with the deck, requiring a small hole for installation and adhesive to secure it.
On the cushion or canvas side, NuSnaps offers two fastener options: a soft backing model with a clickable button cap and a self-tapping model for hard backing. The fasteners are designed for ease of use, allowing users to simply drop boat cushions in place to secure them and pull up to release them. Additionally, the system is compatible with foam decking and padding, making it easier to fasten cushions without the issues caused by traditional snaps being buried in foam.
A Team of Experts Behind the Innovation
NuSnaps was founded by Steve Grabowski, a U.S. Navy veteran with over 30 years of boating experience, and Joe DiCarlo, a mechanical engineer with more than three decades of experience developing marine industry projects for the Department of Defense.
Their extensive backgrounds in engineering and marine technology uniquely position the NuSnaps team to offer a solution that is both reliable and innovative. Over three years were spent designing, developing, and testing the product to ensure it meets the high standards required for marine environments.
Introduction To Marine Industry At IBEX
At IBEX, NuSnaps aims to showcase how their magnetic fastening system can bring upholstery and canvas fastening technology up to par with other advancements in the marine industry. The company hopes to attract interest from boat manufacturers, industry professionals, and other stakeholders looking for cutting-edge solutions to improve the boating experience.
“IBEX will be the perfect event to launch our new product. We can’t think of a better way to introduce NuSnaps to the world than with Yachting Ventures and the like-minded people who attend IBEX that have the passion to make boating better” says Steven.
For more information on NuSnaps, visit: https://nusnaps.com/
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