NuSnaps Launches Magnetic Fastening System for Boats

NuSnaps introduces a magnetic fastening system for cushions and canvas, to be unveiled at IBEX. Courtesy NuSnaps

For decades, boaters have wrestled with the same problem: traditional button snaps that corrode, seize up, and tear canvas or cushions when they fail. A new U.S.-based startup, NuSnaps, aims to change that. The company unveiled its patented magnetic fastening system this October at the International Boat Builders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX).

NuSnaps replaces outdated push-the-dot fasteners with rare earth magnets encased in stainless steel. The system, designed to secure boat cushions and canvas, promises corrosion resistance, ease of use, and a longer service life than traditional snaps. Boaters can drop cushions into place and simply pull them up to release, avoiding the struggle of frozen or misaligned fasteners.

Founder Steven Grabowski, a longtime sailor and U.S. Navy veteran, developed the concept after years of battling corrosion on his own boat in South Carolina. “Living on the coast, I found maintaining my boat a constant challenge due to saltwater corrosion and the frequent need to replace outdated snap fasteners,” Grabowski said. “Seeking a better solution, I envisioned using magnets but found no existing products.”

Three years of research and development followed, with more than 100 design iterations. Grabowski partnered with Joe DiCarlo, a mechanical engineer with decades of experience in marine and defense projects, to refine and test the product for the demanding marine environment.

The result is a fastening system that can be adapted for both new and existing setups. Two boat-side mounting options are available: a surface-mount model secured with screws, and a flush-mount version that installs with adhesive. On the cushion or canvas side, NuSnaps offers fasteners for both soft and hard backing, making the system compatible with a wide range of applications.

NuSnaps’ magnetic fastening system is designed for straightforward installation, whether using surface-mount screws or flush-mount adhesive fittings. Courtesy NuSnaps

One of the product’s key advantages is its reusability. When reupholstering, owners can transfer NuSnaps hardware from old cushions to new ones. The system also works with foam decking and padding, areas where traditional snaps often fail.

NuSnaps hopes its debut at IBEX will attract attention from boatbuilders and industry professionals as well as cruisers looking for DIY-friendly gear upgrades. “IBEX will be the perfect event to launch our new product,” Grabowski said. “We can’t think of a better way to introduce NuSnaps to the world than with like-minded people who have the passion to make boating better.”

For more details, visit nusnaps.com.

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