Hull Lettering

[Russ]

I've seen some nice boat lettering done.
Where do ya'll get your boat letters?

We've got a blue hull and any suggestions for colors would be welcomed.

[Moe]

Got ours done at one of many local sign shops.

[Matt19020]

I made a rough drawing of what we wanted and took it to a sign shop (sign-a-rama) I believe it is a nationwide chain. They had a person make a couple versions (last Pic) and we came up with the one in the pics.
They classified it as a Logo.
Setup I believe was $125 and 3 (port, starboard and transom) printed "logo's" were $125.
I have to admit it was a little more expensive this way but I am happy with the way it turned out.
Some people on the board have criticized it because it is to "busy"... but others love it ....you can't please everyone so just do what you want and be creative.
The letters are actually white with the colors printed onto the vinyl.
If you are doing this style on a blue hull you may want to address that with the sign maker otherwise I believe you may see a white outline around the edge.
It has held up great for one season so far and they have the design on file for reprinting if needed and no additional set up fee.
They were relatively easy to put on. If I was to do it again I would go the same route.
I have used the Boat US lettering on another boat and they were adequet but still cost me $125 and the quality was just OK and selection was limited.
When I see it, every time I get on the boat it relaxes me to know I am on "My Time".......

[Chip Hindes]

This was originally posted in 2005.

I've edited it a little to bring it up to date. Here's mine.

The boat name is 7", the port 3.5".

Before I saw it, I was concerned it was going to be way too big, but this size was chosen by the first mate, and after installation I agree it's just right. My own bias is that people have a tendency to go both too small and too ornate, so that you can't read it unless you're very close, and that defeats the purpose. Mine's black on white for the same reason. If I had a blue hull, I'd probably go for white.

I got it from Letters Unlimited. I believe both sides including the rather long home port were about $30 (2002 prices). They have lots of different fonts and you can scale them any size you want, any color, outline, metalflake, whatever.

I don't recall a warranty but they're five years old and good as new, and for that price I could change styles every couple years and still be ahead. Also, their customer service is outstanding.

[NiceAft]

I'm not going to make any suggestions on where to go because the other comments were quite good, and besides, my lettering was for free

The letter size, and the color question is another story.

You need to decide if you wish to be seen from a distance, or just lettering to be seen when at a much closer proximity.

Matt's letter style is great. Very individualistic. My chosen lettering is a slap in the face at a distance!

Your choice! Do what is right for you

Either way, your coloring needs to be light, so as to create contrast. White is a pleasant, complimenting color. It's a good contrast. Yellow is even bolder Against a dark blue hull, that's a grab their attention color With the right font, you can say HERE I AM!


Ray

[Russ]

Matt, I love your lettering.
Nice Aft makes a great statement.

The BoatUS install directions have a blue Mac!
http://www.boatus.com/boatgraphics/stepbystep.asp



Thanks for the comments. We still need to come up with a name. That might decide other factors such as fonts and graphics.
I'm thinking yellow or white letters would look good against the blue.

Oh yea, it seems like most folks put the name on the side of the hull, with the home port on the "transom". Anyone do anything else?

[Shane]

We got our vinyl lettering from an out of town business. They listened/tried to make sense of what we were asking for; forwarded us some .jpgs of suggestions; worked with our feedback; resent us images, etc. till we got things to what we ended up getting. It evolved and was different from where we began.





We ended up not using the black shadow outline; for the extra $$$, we didn't feel it would give enough 'pop' against the blue hull.

We also go an arched home port that is on the stern seat, above the motor. It's black, and in a more traditional, block text font. We were very pleased with the whole process.

If the above photos don't show up (sorry, first time trying this), you can check them out here:
http://gallery.mac.com/sfawkes#100008

Regards,
Shane

[wbpenney]

Westmarine has a web site that will let you create a name in many shapes, sizes, and colors.

Bill

[Erik Hardtle]

I had mine done at a sign shop (vinyl) ... about $400

[Catigale]

Was reading Chapmans last night and the Coast Guard Auxiallary page states that labelling of ship name and port should be at least 4 inches high - this isnt a 'reg' AFAIK

Also, city AND state are required - I see a lot of boats labelled NY or San Francisco which technically would fail the inspection I guess...

FWIW

On edit: Clarifying - it is not required to put your name and port on your boat in NY state (and most others I believe), the Chapmans entry above refers to the fact that if you do choose to put it on, the CGA wants you to have at least 4 inch letters, and both city and State for purposes of a CGA inspection sticker....again, these arent regs...

[Night Sailor]

I made my own hull lettering for the 30' keel boat previous to the X. I made 8" high letters from my font collection in Word, and various musical notes, printed them from the computer onto plain white paper. Laid the paper over solid black Contact paper (the shelf liner stuff that is self adhesive on one side you find in grocery stores and Walmart). I then cut around each letter or note, through the paper and contact paper with a scalpel. I put a strip of masking tape on the hull where things were to go to aid in alignment, and put them on one at a time. Cost about $3. It was still good when I sold the boat four years later.

[Scott]

We've got a blue hull and any suggestions for colors would be welcomed.

White letters will make it a little faster.



Boaters world letters

[Chip Hindes]

Was reading Chapmans last night and the Coast Guard Auxiallary page states that labelling of ship name and port should be at least 4 inches high - this isnt a 'reg' AFAIK

Also, city AND state are required - I see a lot of boats labelled NY or San Francisco which technically would fail the inspection I guess...

Boats that are state registered rather than USCG Documented do not have to display anything but the state registration number and the sticker; names and home port not required. If you decide to add these to your state registered boat, it would be quite a stretch for the CG to ticket you for non-compliance.

For Documented boats, the name and homeport take the place of the state registration, I'm quite sure the requirements are in fact regs and you certainly could be ticketed for failure to comply. BTW, even if you're Documented your state can require you to resgister your boat and display a state registration sticker, though I don't believe they can charge you for it.

Have yet to hear of a Mac 26 owner who has documented his boat.

[jeffz]

I like the "My Time"

Very creative

[Russ]

Boats that are state registered rather than USCG Documented do not have to display anything but the state registration number and the sticker; names and home port not required. If you decide to add these to your state registered boat, it would be quite a stretch for the CG to ticket you for non-compliance.

Yes, my runabout doesn't have a name, only state numbers and sticker on the bow. Naming your boat is optional on non-doc vessels. Not so for documented.

For Documented boats, the name and homeport take the place of the state registration, I'm quite sure the requirements are in fact regs and you certainly could be ticketed for failure to comply. BTW, even if you're Documented your state can require you to resgister your boat and display a state registration sticker, though I don't believe they can charge you for it.

Have yet to hear of a Mac 26 owner who has documented his boat.

Our Hunter 34 was documented and we didn't put state (New Jersey) numbers on it. We were required to put the state decal (on the transom) of proof of registration (and paying the fee/tax). As a documented vessel, the documentation numbers must be permanently affixed to the inside of the hull someplace. We epoxied a plate to the hull in the bilge.

It's been a while, but I recall a minimum tonnage weight to qualify for documentation. It may be the Mac is too light to document. The measurement is not displacement, but some calculated value as described here.