Hello Everyone... So I'm deep in the process of setting up a new boat I just bought (a Hunter 340) and I'm doing some of the normal things that need to be done for a newly purchased boat. One of those things is getting a new name placed on the boat as I didn't really like the one that used to be there. I live in San Diego and I couldn't find any companies that work specifically in this area who do this, but I did contact one company that sends people down to San Diego and they are called "Reel Graphics". The long and short of my question is that they want $500 to both remove the old letters and place on the new ones. This seems a bit much to me. Anyone have experiance with this? Is there a cheeper way to get a new name put on a boat... just seems like such a simple process that it shouldn't cost half a grand to do. Thanks for the help. -Levin
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I used
a local sign making franchise. First I used a hair dryer and plastic putty knife to remove the old name. Then the sign company made a 18"x60" name sign for me that I put on myself (with a little help from my daughter). It took a total of about 45 minutes and I had the name on both sides of my H26 for a total of $150. So, I think if you look in the yellow pages for Sign-A-Rama or Fast Signs or the like, they can point you in the right direction for alot less $$$.
a local sign making franchise. First I used a hair dryer and plastic putty knife to remove the old name. Then the sign company made a 18"x60" name sign for me that I put on myself (with a little help from my daughter). It took a total of about 45 minutes and I had the name on both sides of my H26 for a total of $150. So, I think if you look in the yellow pages for Sign-A-Rama or Fast Signs or the like, they can point you in the right direction for alot less $$$.
a little lub
When positioning your lettering on the boat. a solution of dish soap and water sprayed on the surface before aplying the letters will allow you to move the lettering in to the correct place and a plastic or rubber squeege will allow you to wor out all of the wrinkles or bubbles. Then gently squeege all of the lettering and let it dry.
When positioning your lettering on the boat. a solution of dish soap and water sprayed on the surface before aplying the letters will allow you to move the lettering in to the correct place and a plastic or rubber squeege will allow you to wor out all of the wrinkles or bubbles. Then gently squeege all of the lettering and let it dry.
Go to BoatUS website...
(link below) you can design your own choosing from fonts, colors, etc. Once you decide they can print it and ship it. Or, I guess you could take the design to a local shop. Comes with inst and fairly easy to apply assuming you can get good access to the transom. If the old ones are vynil, a little heat (hair dryer, heat gun) and plastic putty knife will peel em right off. Search the archives, many many discussions and about as many techniques. If they're painted on (which I really doubt) acetone will usually do the job.
(link below) you can design your own choosing from fonts, colors, etc. Once you decide they can print it and ship it. Or, I guess you could take the design to a local shop. Comes with inst and fairly easy to apply assuming you can get good access to the transom. If the old ones are vynil, a little heat (hair dryer, heat gun) and plastic putty knife will peel em right off. Search the archives, many many discussions and about as many techniques. If they're painted on (which I really doubt) acetone will usually do the job.
This company is good
I've used this company and found them to be fast reliable and high quality. Self installatin is pretty easy. www.islandboatlettering.com
I've used this company and found them to be fast reliable and high quality. Self installatin is pretty easy. www.islandboatlettering.com
Boat letters
Any locakl sign maker can make vinyl letters, for a very small price if you are willing to do the simple application yourself. We had a name made in two color shading, plus the hailing port and the registration numbers for probably less than $150.00. Plus, it they are ever damaged, the sign maker has the computer program to duplicate. Jerry
Any locakl sign maker can make vinyl letters, for a very small price if you are willing to do the simple application yourself. We had a name made in two color shading, plus the hailing port and the registration numbers for probably less than $150.00. Plus, it they are ever damaged, the sign maker has the computer program to duplicate. Jerry
lettering
As far as removing the old name, I used acitone and a rubbing compound with elbow grease. As far as the new name I went to boatUS web page, designed, picked out a color and a font, had them printed, and they shipped within a week. Putting them on was as easy as a decal, soapy water, and a steady hand. I then put a coat of wax to protect and that was that. Been two years and they still look like new..........bobcat
As far as removing the old name, I used acitone and a rubbing compound with elbow grease. As far as the new name I went to boatUS web page, designed, picked out a color and a font, had them printed, and they shipped within a week. Putting them on was as easy as a decal, soapy water, and a steady hand. I then put a coat of wax to protect and that was that. Been two years and they still look like new..........bobcat
Lettering
Levin, All the methods described seem to be fine. My boat didn't have lettering to remove, but lettering from sailnet(shown in pic) was easy to apply even with a not-too-coordinated first mate as a helper. The lettering I used was two-shaded metallic at 7" height and cost about $130.
Levin, All the methods described seem to be fine. My boat didn't have lettering to remove, but lettering from sailnet(shown in pic) was easy to apply even with a not-too-coordinated first mate as a helper. The lettering I used was two-shaded metallic at 7" height and cost about $130.
Boat Names
If you intend on keeping your boat in salt water, make sure that the vynil they use for the lettering (most likely the adhesive) is compatible with salt water. Otherwise, you will be replacing it before next season. I wish someone had told me that before I put on the letters. I was cheap, and used a sign maker who did not know about, or did not want to know about salt water resistance. Good Luck; Paul
If you intend on keeping your boat in salt water, make sure that the vynil they use for the lettering (most likely the adhesive) is compatible with salt water. Otherwise, you will be replacing it before next season. I wish someone had told me that before I put on the letters. I was cheap, and used a sign maker who did not know about, or did not want to know about salt water resistance. Good Luck; Paul
Another Company To Consider
I used Sign Diego on Midway Blvd when I needed a new boat name. A good company to work with and I have used them for a long time on a variety of sign projects. They will know to use a vinyl that is compatible with salt water. My boat letters have been on about eight years and still look great. Sign Diego will furnish written application instructions that are easy to follow. You can do it for a lot less than $500.
I used Sign Diego on Midway Blvd when I needed a new boat name. A good company to work with and I have used them for a long time on a variety of sign projects. They will know to use a vinyl that is compatible with salt water. My boat letters have been on about eight years and still look great. Sign Diego will furnish written application instructions that are easy to follow. You can do it for a lot less than $500.
Yet another lettering option
I used "Speedy Signs" as a source when I purchased the new lettering for my H23. Their web site lets you see the size, font and color choices and updates the cost on the fly. Worth a look...
I used "Speedy Signs" as a source when I purchased the new lettering for my H23. Their web site lets you see the size, font and color choices and updates the cost on the fly. Worth a look...
I've done my own as suggested by others
& also watched a pro do it. Generally when you order one it comes as one piece and is pretty easy to do. The pro's I've seen usually apply the letters individually and even the drop shadows as a separate piece of each letter. For a pretty simple graphic most people wouldn't notice the difference, where a pro job really shines is with a custom design combining effects like arc & shadow or techiniques like gold leaf etc.
& also watched a pro do it. Generally when you order one it comes as one piece and is pretty easy to do. The pro's I've seen usually apply the letters individually and even the drop shadows as a separate piece of each letter. For a pretty simple graphic most people wouldn't notice the difference, where a pro job really shines is with a custom design combining effects like arc & shadow or techiniques like gold leaf etc.
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