MacGregorSailors.com

I know it's bad luck to not have a name for your boat but I'm just now getting around to it after 2 years lol....but I'm wondering where do you all buy the lettering for the name and what size letters are most of you all buying

I've always bought mine from BoatUS graphics.

https://www.boatus.com/boatgraphics/let ... t=BoatName

Registration numbers have to be 3" high block letters and numbers, and of a contrasting color to the hull, but there is no restriction on boat name other than they're not supposed to be on the forward half of the hull (US flagged vessels), or too close to the State numbers, or something like that (non-federally documented vessels, of course - documented don't even have State reg. numbers).

As to size, they're usually larger than you think. Like traffic signs - from a distance they look fine, but up close, they seem huge. I used a photo of my last boat and sketched the name on the side so it looked proportional, then scaled it from the overall length of the boat. On my , I put the name on the helm seat back, so I sized it to fit the space, along with the hailing port. And it looks small. But unless I want to change it to the sides of the hull (which I don't), that's where it'll stay.

Lettering that's too small looks odd, like a US or Yacht Ensign flying off the stern that's too small. Same with too big.

I bought mine on Ebay under the boat parts and accessories / decals heading.

Many different fonts, sizes, colours available for a few dollars.

My new ones are a 40 inches long x 5 inches high, I think I paid $25Au ($20us) for 2 big ones and one 18 inch long version for the back of the captains seat

I'd hit up a local sign shop. Depending on your location, many will design a little logo or whatever for you or make it a particular font that matches your boat's name and print them for you for under $100. The local ones here will apply the vinyl stickers for you as well so you don't have to worry about screwing it up. What a country!

I found a guy locally who says he can get me letters 1.50 a piece ....if I know what size i want....is 6" letters what most are getting?

I named the boat for my wife, and I wanted everyone to know it. The letter are 10" tall.

Ray

I think my letters are 10" high as well. Of course, my boat's name is "Ilya," so that doesn't look too intimidating in any case. And it's absolutely true that the letters look a lot bigger close up than you'd think.

I'm pretty sure that 6" letters will be too small.

I've had good luck with this place.

http://www.speedysigns.com/

Used them twice. Perfect both times. I like the design software too.

Also consider font and outline/shadow.

Unless there is a reason for a fancy font, I would be careful using them. eg: Script is hard to read. Some fonts might enhance the theme of the name, but consider how it looks from afar (small).

Consider color and contrast with your hull. Sometimes a shadow or outline can enhance lettering. I think BoatUS allows you to design with your hull color so you can see the contrast.

I used these guys: http://www.streetglo.net/

Their design page is super easy, and the price is automatically updated with any change. We were happy with the quality and service, and the price was right.

In my opinion 8" letters are about the minimum, and 10" are even better. You want them to be able to be read from a distance, so that you are easy to hail both from a convenience and a safety standpoint. For example, when we were waiting for the locks a few years ago, we would be hailed with something like "SAILBOAT fourth in line". Now it comes in loud and clear "Bear Hunt"


Which boat names can you read in this photo? The big lettered ones.

Not too bad of prices either hopefully 8" will be big enough

These are 8" high and 48" long (from my old notes) on a 34 foot boat. They're a little small, IMO, partly because the 'shadow' of the Bertram typeface makes the main part of the letter smaller, so the actual filled fat part is about 7" high.

Starscream wrote:I used these guys: http://www.streetglo.net/




Which boat names can you read in this photo? The big lettered ones.

Great way to make your point!

Tomfoolery wrote:These are 8" high and 48" long (from my old notes) on a 34 foot boat. They're a little small, IMO, partly because the 'shadow' of the Bertram typeface makes the main part of the letter smaller, so the actual filled fat part is about 7" high.

What kind of a boat is TomFoolery2? What boat are you sailing now? TomFoolery3??