Decal Questions

Crusty Ol Salt · Mar 11, 2022

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I will bow out and let the experts address the rest.

Davidasailor26 · Mar 11, 2022

brockangelo said:
I am considering giving my new boat a name and I believe the trip I'm going on this summer will require the boat to have it's home port included. What I'm wondering is if it really matters what city I put. I live in a small town without a lake and will keep the boat on a trailer. The closest lake might make the most sense, but it doesn't have much significance to us. Anyone know if the city and state listed on the boat has to follow any guidelines?

As for the name, I've seen these on the back sides of port and starboard, and on the transom in the stern. Not sure if there is a real requirement on names or not.

Also, if anyone has any recommendations for where to get stickers printed, I'm looking at places.

The only time I’ve seen requirements for the hailing port are for Coast Guard Documented vessels, not for state registered vessels. Here’s a good breakdown of the requirements -

USCG Requirements | BoatUS

An explanation of Boat Documentation Requirements, both State and Federal guidelines are outlined, with reference to the USCG official site.

www.boatus.com

It doesn’t really specify what you must use as the hailing port. For non-documented vessels I’ve seen any choice of location from home marina to owner’s residence to just special places.

I’ve gotten decals from Boat US and they worked out fine. They have a good selection of fonts and way of laying things out.

Richard19068 · Mar 11, 2022

It might depend on the state but I think unless you are coast guard registered you don't need to have the home port displayed. And then even if you are coast guard registered you can put any city in the country, landlocked or not.

shemandr · Mar 11, 2022

Just about any sign shop can make decals to your specification and they are digital ready. It's not that expensive.
I think home port is more of a social thing when interacting with other boaters.
The USCG specifies the size and style of registration numbers - they have to be readable to CG vessels.
Documented vessels rules are a bit different as stated above.

Ralph Johnstone · Mar 11, 2022

I always tend to go for the name on the bow.

If you are handy with computer graphics, you mught enjoy doing a mockup using your favourite graphics program to insert the new name on a photo. Erase any existing name you may have on the boat photo and then create one on the hull using any one of seemingly millions which are free gratis on the web in .ttf format. Place measured tape on the hull for reference or just use items which you can measure for size and placement of the name.

If you find a font that turns your crank, send it to a graphics printer and they can print your boat name in the font you like.

sail sfbay · Mar 11, 2022

brockangelo said:
I am considering giving my new boat a name and I believe the trip I'm going on this summer will require the boat to have it's home port included.............As for the name, I've seen these on the back sides of port and starboard, and on the transom in the stern. Not sure if there is a real requirement on names or not. Also, if anyone has any recommendations for where to get stickers printed, I'm looking at places.

You are not required to display a home port if your boat is state registered However, you are required to display the boat's name and hailing port if it is documented with the USCG. As far as where to place the decal name and hailing port...........my sailboat has the boat's name on the port and starboard side aft and hailing port on the stern and my powerboat has the boat's name and hailing port on the stern. To buy them go to your local sign store or do an internet search on "boat decals" to find where to buy them.

Gene Neill · Mar 11, 2022

The important thing here is that you know the rules for renaming. You do understand it requires copious alcohol, right?

JRacer · Mar 11, 2022

I always knew SIU had "stones".

mikeracca · Mar 14, 2022

brockangelo said:
Hahaha check! The boat didn’t have a name! I’m going with Ocean Jasper. It is one of my favorite stones.
View attachment 203317

Your stone looks like Jupiter.

Parsons · Mar 14, 2022

Nice name - unique and easy to pronounce.

My rules have always been:

Four syllables, or fewer
Nothing too cutesy or profane (they get old)
Say the name a bunch of times, like you are calling for bridges - would you like to say "Bill's bit of fun on the side" a dozen times
For those of us who go further afield, does it sound good (or confusing) in Spanish or French

mrreg · Mar 14, 2022

You definitely need to have a naming ceremony....check the "rules" on line via a google search. It's fun having a ceremony...with Champaign....

pclarksurf · Mar 14, 2022

Parsons said:
Nice name - unique and easy to pronounce.

My rules have always been:

Four syllables, or fewer

Nothing too cutesy or profane (they get old)

Say the name a bunch of times, like you are calling for bridges - would you like to say "Bill's bit of fun on the side" a dozen times

For those of us who go further afield, does it sound good (or confusing) in Spanish or French

Too true! My first boat in the SF Bay area was named "highland fling" I registered her-- and eventually changed the name -- but she was forever known as "ISLAND QUEEN" ..... (facepalm)

Gene Neill · Mar 14, 2022

mrreg said:
You definitely need to have a naming ceremony....check the "rules" on line via a google search. It's fun having a ceremony...with Champaign....

My profile pic is of me and SWMBO doing that very thing. It was an awesome day.

LakeShark · Mar 15, 2022

brockangelo said:
I believe the trip I'm going on this summer will require the boat to have it's home port included.

There is no requirement that i know of for names or hailing ports on vessels not documented with USCG. A Catalina 22 would not normally be documented but registered with your home state. I put our name on the back sides of our boat and added a hailing port for fun. Our town also has no lakes but it makes for a fun conversation starter while out on the water. For decals I went with an online vendor and they have worked just fine.

AaronD · Mar 15, 2022

brockangelo said:
So I keep hearing this phrase: “documented with the USCG” but I don’t know what all that entails and when you’re required to do it. Just curious of the laws

U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Documentation FAQs

Wondering how to renew or document a vessel with the U.S. Coast Guard? BoatUS answers your most common questions on vessel documentation.

www.boatus.com

Short answer: Our C-22's are too small anyway (nowhere close to 5 metric tons). Stick with your state title.

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