I need a solution to a dink lettering problem. Until the middle of this summer I used placards with the boat registration numbers glued to them and attached to the grab lines on the dink. That meant that every time I deflated and stored it, I would unhook, remove and store the placards. Of course, when I reinflated it I'd have to rehang them. I was never happy with the methods I tried to hang the placards, always worried about a prankster stealing one or both, and when I lost one of the placards to the GOD OF LOST GEAR in mid-summer, I made up my mind to try the glue-on rubber letters. Now I have another problem. The state registration sticker is not a flexible stick-on, so I still need to hang something on the dink to display the current registration. Any ideas about a SIMPLE way to do it? Does the registration have to be shown behind the letters? What if I stuck them both on the dink seat... or on the paddles (just kidding)? I'm sure someone out there has figured this one out and, with the minimal amount of abuse directed at my ignorance of the obvious, will help me out. Tom
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
J
Jon Bastien
It's SUPPOSED to be by the letters...
...but the rules become (*ahem*) flexible when it comes to inflatables. Here in Florida, we're only required to have one state registration sticker, and it's supposed to be on the port side of the vessel within 3 inches of the lettering. THAT said, I've seen registration stickers on the inside of transoms, on outboards(!), on thwart seats... and the lettering is usually either painted on or glued on (like your new ones). I was stopped by the local Marine Patrol because I had my letters and registration sticker on a plate attached with zip-ties to the lifeline of the boat... and he couldn't see them from across the water. Once he saw the sticker, he wished me a nice day, and told me that as long as the boat was properly registered, I shouldn't have any problems. He understood that stickers don't stick well to inflatables, and that sometimes it's impossible to reasonably comply with the letter of the law- but if you're in compliance with the spirit (properly registered, a clear attempt to display it) then it's not likely to generate a ticketable offense. Of course, this was in Florida. Ohio law enforcement may be a little more strict on the subject. Good luck, --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio' ...And her tender, a 9.5 inflatable we call 'Half note'
...but the rules become (*ahem*) flexible when it comes to inflatables. Here in Florida, we're only required to have one state registration sticker, and it's supposed to be on the port side of the vessel within 3 inches of the lettering. THAT said, I've seen registration stickers on the inside of transoms, on outboards(!), on thwart seats... and the lettering is usually either painted on or glued on (like your new ones). I was stopped by the local Marine Patrol because I had my letters and registration sticker on a plate attached with zip-ties to the lifeline of the boat... and he couldn't see them from across the water. Once he saw the sticker, he wished me a nice day, and told me that as long as the boat was properly registered, I shouldn't have any problems. He understood that stickers don't stick well to inflatables, and that sometimes it's impossible to reasonably comply with the letter of the law- but if you're in compliance with the spirit (properly registered, a clear attempt to display it) then it's not likely to generate a ticketable offense. Of course, this was in Florida. Ohio law enforcement may be a little more strict on the subject. Good luck, --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio' ...And her tender, a 9.5 inflatable we call 'Half note'
G
gary jensen
letter solution
On my dink I put the numbers on with a indelible marker that does NOT wash off. I placed the sticker on the transom exterior. The law states otherwise, however common sense dictates that it is not really feasible. I did fire inspections for 28 years and when people met the intent of the law, I let common sense prevail. I feel that it would be difficult for any inspector to argue the point otherwise..
On my dink I put the numbers on with a indelible marker that does NOT wash off. I placed the sticker on the transom exterior. The law states otherwise, however common sense dictates that it is not really feasible. I did fire inspections for 28 years and when people met the intent of the law, I let common sense prevail. I feel that it would be difficult for any inspector to argue the point otherwise..
S
Sam Lust
Non-stick
No cop in New jersey has ever been accused of using undue amounts of common sense. My numbers were stenciled on with special rubbery black paint sold for that purpose. At the proper position for the validation stickers I used the rubbery paint to make squares a little larger than the stickers. The stickers make it through the season and even survive a few deflations with no problem. I find it best not to give our boys in Sam Browne belts and combat boots a reason to initiate a conversation with me.
No cop in New jersey has ever been accused of using undue amounts of common sense. My numbers were stenciled on with special rubbery black paint sold for that purpose. At the proper position for the validation stickers I used the rubbery paint to make squares a little larger than the stickers. The stickers make it through the season and even survive a few deflations with no problem. I find it best not to give our boys in Sam Browne belts and combat boots a reason to initiate a conversation with me.
D
david lewis
i was stopped once for not displaying letters at all, i now have them painted on with special inflatable black paint, and it has held up for 8 or 9 years, ct. stickers stick on , too good and I let a few years build up then peel them off and use mineral spirits to clean the area and start again.
D
david lewis
dink letters
by the way my last response refers to not displaying dink letters, I too had purchased plastic display panels with stick on letters and after much $$$ and a very short time they cracked and broke into pieces. I still had them and the boat was legally registered but I was stopped for improperly displaying registration numbers. I explained the situation to the harbor patrol officer and he was completely unsympathetic, wrote me a ticket and ordered me to not use the boat until the numbers were properly displayed. I painted them on that day. Do not assume you will be cut any slack on this issue, I think I even had one of the plastic panels with the number hung on the transom on the inside of the boat but this was still unacceptable. Painted numbers can be removed and last a long time, bonded on rubber numbers sound pretty permanent to me. any sale of the dinghy or move to another state could cause problems.
by the way my last response refers to not displaying dink letters, I too had purchased plastic display panels with stick on letters and after much $$$ and a very short time they cracked and broke into pieces. I still had them and the boat was legally registered but I was stopped for improperly displaying registration numbers. I explained the situation to the harbor patrol officer and he was completely unsympathetic, wrote me a ticket and ordered me to not use the boat until the numbers were properly displayed. I painted them on that day. Do not assume you will be cut any slack on this issue, I think I even had one of the plastic panels with the number hung on the transom on the inside of the boat but this was still unacceptable. Painted numbers can be removed and last a long time, bonded on rubber numbers sound pretty permanent to me. any sale of the dinghy or move to another state could cause problems.
J
John K Kudera
I have seen
I have seen blocks of rubber that are glued to the inflatable and used for your sticker, This is your best bet, I have mine on the seat, and have not been stopped, but it is not legal to mount them there. Another problem is where to carry the registration so it doesn't wash away. Any ideas on that? John K s/v 50-50
I have seen blocks of rubber that are glued to the inflatable and used for your sticker, This is your best bet, I have mine on the seat, and have not been stopped, but it is not legal to mount them there. Another problem is where to carry the registration so it doesn't wash away. Any ideas on that? John K s/v 50-50
M
Mike I
Registration Numbers
I used spray vinyl paint (available in automotive stores for coloring upholstery) and stencils to number my inflatable. I put the stickers on the transom, and the papers in a plastic bag inside the outboard motor cover. Don't know how legal, but it works!
I used spray vinyl paint (available in automotive stores for coloring upholstery) and stencils to number my inflatable. I put the stickers on the transom, and the papers in a plastic bag inside the outboard motor cover. Don't know how legal, but it works!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.