How to Make an Adjustable Webbing Strap With Snap Hook Ends

X-HT-300172

Bimini and dodger frames often need a bit of extra support to keep their fabric tops taut. You can provide this extra support two different ways: with a rigid support strut or with an adjustable webbing strap. Using a webbing strap allows for quick and easy tension adjustments and knockdown of the bimini or dodger. If you decide to go with a webbing support strap, this quick video will show you how to make your own step-by-step. 
Video Chapters:
  • Measuring & Cutting Webbing – 0:43 min.
  • Sewing Tab for Webbing Slider – 1:40 min.
  • Securing Fast Eye Snap Hook – 4:10 min.
  • Sewing Adjustable Leg – 6:18 min.
  • Materials List – 9:33 min.
Materials List:
  • Acrylic Webbing – we used Sunbrella® Webbing 1" Black, #144408
  • Webbing Slider With Raised Bar 1" (Stainless Steel) 1" – #28207
  • Fast Eye Snap Hook 1" (Stainless Steel) – #100532
  • YKK® Loop Loc Plastic Black – #104426
  • Strap Eye Stainless Steel – #28221
  • Filament Strapping Tape 3/4" – #5643
  • Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.) – #129
Tools List:
  • Sailrite® Edge Hotknife Package (110V) – #103800
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) – #311602
How to Make an Adjustable Webbing Strap for a Bimini or Dodger 2

We made these webbing support straps to reinforce the new bimini top we made for a pontoon boat for a local summer camp, Camp Whitley. For the best UV resistance, we chose an acrylic-blend webbing. This webbing is made from a blend of Sunbrella® acrylic fibers and polyester and holds up excellently in the sun. Plus, it comes in exact color matches to popular Sunbrella canvas colors.

This strap design uses snap hooks at both ends to attach the strap to the frame and boat railing. Using a hook at each end makes this webbing strap easy to connect to your frame and railing, and also makes it very fast to remove when you need to disassemble or knock down your bimini or dodger. However, this particular design isn't the only way to sew a webbing strap. We also have an informative video showing you how to sew a webbing strap that loops around the frame at one end (#102889XHT).

Making your own support strap is a straightforward project. Watch the video to see how to assemble your strap. We hope this blog has been helpful and informative! Let us know if you have any questions regarding this easy sewing project.

If you think you might prefer a rigid support strut, read our comparison blog to learn more about the differences between webbing straps and rigid struts. 

Materials List:

Sunbrella Webbing 1" Black - C

#144408-100-C

Sunbrella® Webbing 1" Black - C

Webbing Slider With Raised Bar 1" (Stainless Steel)

#28207

Webbing Slider With Raised Bar 1" (Stainless Steel)

Fast Eye Snap Hook 1" (Stainless Steel)

#100532

Fast Eye Snap Hook 1" (Stainless Steel)

YKK Loop Loc Plastic Black

#104426

YKK® Loop Loc Plastic Black

Strap Eye Stainless Steel

#28221

Strap Eye Stainless Steel

Filament Strapping Tape 3/4" (60 yds.)

#5643

Filament Strapping Tape 3/4" (60 yds.)

Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.)

#129

Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.)

Tools List:

Sailrite Edge Hotknife Package (110V)

#103800

Sailrite® Edge Hotknife Package (110V)

Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)

#311602

Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)

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