My boat is documented, and one of the requirements is to mark the boat with the documentation number in a "permament" fashion, in a location that is "visible". The letters and numbers have to be 3" in height (or is it 4"?). My boat is not huge (32 feet) and it has a nice wood paneled interior with not a not of extra places to put this identification without looking awful. I was hoping I could get some examples from you fellow sailors out there who have documented your boats...where and how did you mark your boat with the documentation numbers? One guy at my marina put his numbers inside a cockpit locker...is this really acceptable? What have you all done out there? Thanks!
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Ray
Document letters
I have an "83 Hunter 34 and mine are located in the aft birth on the aft bulkhead. It is easily seen. The official requirement is: The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.
I have an "83 Hunter 34 and mine are located in the aft birth on the aft bulkhead. It is easily seen. The official requirement is: The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.
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Bill Ebling
In anchor Locker
My documented h31 has its number plate epoxied to the inside of the anchor Locker. Accessable if the officials need to see it.
My documented h31 has its number plate epoxied to the inside of the anchor Locker. Accessable if the officials need to see it.
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Ward
Behind a Setee cushion
Mine were afixed to the inner hull behind a cushion back in the salon. They appear to be vinyl block letters stuck there. They were then covered with fiberglass cloth and a coat of clear fiberglass resin. The Coast Guard apparently approved this method according to previous owner and it would sure be obvious if someone tampered with the number. Looks good and was cheap and easy to do. Ward
Mine were afixed to the inner hull behind a cushion back in the salon. They appear to be vinyl block letters stuck there. They were then covered with fiberglass cloth and a coat of clear fiberglass resin. The Coast Guard apparently approved this method according to previous owner and it would sure be obvious if someone tampered with the number. Looks good and was cheap and easy to do. Ward
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RonD
Inside a cockpit lazarrette
The USCG documentation instructions (provided by another poster in this thread) stresses the number must be permanently affixed on a structural part of the boat. On my C320, I used 4-inch stick-on letters/numbers ("No.XXXXXXXXX") that I purchased at the local Home Depot. I then covered it with a clear epoxy to make them "permanent." The intent was that removal of the number would be immediately obvious. I mounted the numbers at the top of the hull liner wall inside the port lazarette. Since the hull liner is not removable unless the entire boat is torn apart, I'm presuming that would be acceptable. Placing the number on a wooden cabin bulkhead wouldn't count as "structural." I suppose the bilge area counts, but there wasn't a sufficiently sized & smooth area to mount the number. --RonD
The USCG documentation instructions (provided by another poster in this thread) stresses the number must be permanently affixed on a structural part of the boat. On my C320, I used 4-inch stick-on letters/numbers ("No.XXXXXXXXX") that I purchased at the local Home Depot. I then covered it with a clear epoxy to make them "permanent." The intent was that removal of the number would be immediately obvious. I mounted the numbers at the top of the hull liner wall inside the port lazarette. Since the hull liner is not removable unless the entire boat is torn apart, I'm presuming that would be acceptable. Placing the number on a wooden cabin bulkhead wouldn't count as "structural." I suppose the bilge area counts, but there wasn't a sufficiently sized & smooth area to mount the number. --RonD
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Bob
Wood Plaque
Hi, Had a custom plaque made - oval in shape. The documentaion number is carved into NO. 368175. I bonded / fastened it to the hull liner - port side bulkhead. Fastened with screws by removing the cockpit compass. Was made by a local sign maker specilaizing in wood engraved signs.
Hi, Had a custom plaque made - oval in shape. The documentaion number is carved into NO. 368175. I bonded / fastened it to the hull liner - port side bulkhead. Fastened with screws by removing the cockpit compass. Was made by a local sign maker specilaizing in wood engraved signs.
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Ned Strain
What is "Clearly Visible"?
The problems seem to lie in the interpretation of "clearly visible interior structural part of the hull". Does this mean that it must be visible at all times (without moving anything) or could it, in fact, be affixed to the bilge as RonD mentioned? Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy 1995 h336 Chicago
The problems seem to lie in the interpretation of "clearly visible interior structural part of the hull". Does this mean that it must be visible at all times (without moving anything) or could it, in fact, be affixed to the bilge as RonD mentioned? Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy 1995 h336 Chicago
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Miles
Mine are in the bilge...
on a flat spot. Stick-on letters with epoxy over them. I was boarded and inspected by the USCG a few years ago and they said this was a fine place to put them.
on a flat spot. Stick-on letters with epoxy over them. I was boarded and inspected by the USCG a few years ago and they said this was a fine place to put them.
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Peter J. Brennan
Coast Guard boarded us
a couple of weeks ago. Three bored youngsters in a RIB and no other boats in sight. They looked for the documentation number, which is inside a locker in the forward head. Appears to be stick-on vinyl well affixed to the hull. You would have a hard time getting it off without leaving traces. We had a discussion about carved main beams and such and the difficulty of properly recording the number in a fiberglass boat. He had no better solution. In the event, I guess it was both visible enough and permanent enough that we passed the boarding inspection with no violations whatever. Interestingly, he did not want to see my pyrotechnics but I insisted since I knew they were within the requirements. Seems on Long Island Sound west of Execution Rock a vessel is not required to have pyrotechnics. On the other hand, he was very interested in my bell though at less than 12 meters we are not required to have one.
a couple of weeks ago. Three bored youngsters in a RIB and no other boats in sight. They looked for the documentation number, which is inside a locker in the forward head. Appears to be stick-on vinyl well affixed to the hull. You would have a hard time getting it off without leaving traces. We had a discussion about carved main beams and such and the difficulty of properly recording the number in a fiberglass boat. He had no better solution. In the event, I guess it was both visible enough and permanent enough that we passed the boarding inspection with no violations whatever. Interestingly, he did not want to see my pyrotechnics but I insisted since I knew they were within the requirements. Seems on Long Island Sound west of Execution Rock a vessel is not required to have pyrotechnics. On the other hand, he was very interested in my bell though at less than 12 meters we are not required to have one.
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Ed
Pyrotechnics not needed if...
There is at least one other strong light emitting device aboard. A high powered flash-light or strobe or SOS-light are also acceptable, and may even be a bit safer than flares, particularly on boats carrying gasoline. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
There is at least one other strong light emitting device aboard. A high powered flash-light or strobe or SOS-light are also acceptable, and may even be a bit safer than flares, particularly on boats carrying gasoline. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
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Gregg
Same as Miles
The Hunter 290 bilge has a nice flat spot, up high and out of any potential water. Used 3" stick-ons, masked the area, and brushed on 2 coats of clear epoxy. West Systems makes an epoxy repair kit - 5 or 6 double packets of 105/205, about 15 bucks at West Marine. Just open a double packet, mix in a cup, and brush it on. Dries clear and rock hard. Pull off the masking tape when dry - looks nice and neat. Couldn't be easier. By the way, the kid at West Marine said that 1. - it wouldn't be clear, and 2. - the epoxy would melt the letters. Wrong on both counts.
The Hunter 290 bilge has a nice flat spot, up high and out of any potential water. Used 3" stick-ons, masked the area, and brushed on 2 coats of clear epoxy. West Systems makes an epoxy repair kit - 5 or 6 double packets of 105/205, about 15 bucks at West Marine. Just open a double packet, mix in a cup, and brush it on. Dries clear and rock hard. Pull off the masking tape when dry - looks nice and neat. Couldn't be easier. By the way, the kid at West Marine said that 1. - it wouldn't be clear, and 2. - the epoxy would melt the letters. Wrong on both counts.
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Scott Narum
Great Ideas, Thanks!
I feel better now. I'm going to go with the vinyl letters hopefully in the bilge with clear epoxy over them. I was concerned what "visible" really meant, so I'm pleased I don't have to deface my boat!
I feel better now. I'm going to go with the vinyl letters hopefully in the bilge with clear epoxy over them. I was concerned what "visible" really meant, so I'm pleased I don't have to deface my boat!
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Bob
I wonder how many
guys are in the big house right now for using the wrong sized letters, or only putting one layer of epoxy over them. And when they get out they will have picked up some other tricks from their fellow inmates, like tearing the content tags off sleeping bags.
guys are in the big house right now for using the wrong sized letters, or only putting one layer of epoxy over them. And when they get out they will have picked up some other tricks from their fellow inmates, like tearing the content tags off sleeping bags.
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Scott Narum
I did it with polyester resin in the bilge
I put my number in the bilge with vinyl numbers and "glassed" over with polyester resin. It may need another coat, and the resin is a bit on the amber side, but it looks OK. Should be legal. Thanks for the advice!
I put my number in the bilge with vinyl numbers and "glassed" over with polyester resin. It may need another coat, and the resin is a bit on the amber side, but it looks OK. Should be legal. Thanks for the advice!
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Mark
Black Paint
Why not just use a good black paint for the numbers? That's what we did. Had a small can laying around.
Why not just use a good black paint for the numbers? That's what we did. Had a small can laying around.
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