I need to purchase lettering for our boat name but do not know the size of letters--especially for the transom. This is a surprise for my husband and it's his boat! Is 8 inches for the sides and 4 inches for the transom about right???? The name is Summer Wind. Any input would be helpful.
- Status
Have a sign maker make it for you.
Sandy: There are sign makers that can measure, make and apply the name to the boat for you. They are really not very expensive and may be able to give you some ideas. Some can come to the boat and do the job on the spot.
Sandy: There are sign makers that can measure, make and apply the name to the boat for you. They are really not very expensive and may be able to give you some ideas. Some can come to the boat and do the job on the spot.
If it's documented, however,
There are specifics. Don't recall for the name, but I know for the hailing port the letters must be 4". If it's not documented, give the supplier the approxiamte length u want and they will get the size from there.
There are specifics. Don't recall for the name, but I know for the hailing port the letters must be 4". If it's not documented, give the supplier the approxiamte length u want and they will get the size from there.
Bigger letters makes longer signs
Summer Wind has 11 letters counting the space. A 4" letter means the sign will be 36" to 44" long depending on the type style selected. Take a sketch of the stern and side space with you when you order the sign. The width and height of the stern and sides are important. But the location of steps, ladders and thru hulls can make a difference on where you place the sign. Don't forget to give appropriate offerings to the gods when the newly named boat goes in the water. We don't want to offend Neptune.
Summer Wind has 11 letters counting the space. A 4" letter means the sign will be 36" to 44" long depending on the type style selected. Take a sketch of the stern and side space with you when you order the sign. The width and height of the stern and sides are important. But the location of steps, ladders and thru hulls can make a difference on where you place the sign. Don't forget to give appropriate offerings to the gods when the newly named boat goes in the water. We don't want to offend Neptune.
I'm with Steve
I'm a newspaper publisher well versed in typography, and I can assure you the signmaker will out-do whatever you can. He or she has sophisticated computers to ensure that the letters are properly kerned (crunched) for effect. You won't go wrong, and it's not that pricey.
I'm a newspaper publisher well versed in typography, and I can assure you the signmaker will out-do whatever you can. He or she has sophisticated computers to ensure that the letters are properly kerned (crunched) for effect. You won't go wrong, and it's not that pricey.
Definitely use a signmaker!
I worked with a signmaker and got a much more interesting layout of "Dreamboat" with flair and creativity that you will never get with block letters. We put the name on both sides and also on the stern with the hailing port below it, using vinyl lettering, all for only $350 installed. I have a photo of it at home and will try to post it to this message thread tonight so you can see why you will kick yourself if you settle for block letters. Go for it!
I worked with a signmaker and got a much more interesting layout of "Dreamboat" with flair and creativity that you will never get with block letters. We put the name on both sides and also on the stern with the hailing port below it, using vinyl lettering, all for only $350 installed. I have a photo of it at home and will try to post it to this message thread tonight so you can see why you will kick yourself if you settle for block letters. Go for it!
Here's what my signmaker and I created
We chose the name Dreamboat. I went on the internet and found two graphics that were D shaped moons and had the signmaker take the shape of one and the face features of the other and what I got is great. The stars were something she added. It's all in vinyl and you would never know it was not painted on. See the attached file.
We chose the name Dreamboat. I went on the internet and found two graphics that were D shaped moons and had the signmaker take the shape of one and the face features of the other and what I got is great. The stars were something she added. It's all in vinyl and you would never know it was not painted on. See the attached file.
Attachments
Steve's right
Go with a sign maker. You may want to talk around the docks and see if someone else has used one in your area. What my sign maker wanted is the measurement of a block of space where I wanted the lettering to go. He then used his computer to size the font to fit & fill the space. Get a good grade of material. Scotch-Cal from 3M is one of the best brands of sheeting and it comes in many grades. Make sure your sign maker uses a grade of sheeting that has a 5 to 7 year sun exposure rating and that the adhesive is compatible with gelcoat. Have the sign maker install the graphic. The adhesive is pretty aggressive and one mistake in application and you could lose the whole graphic. I'm in the process of redoing the name on my 26.5. The name was painted on about 5 years ago and now is cracking and peeling. The vinyl hailing port lettering put on at the same time is doing great.
Go with a sign maker. You may want to talk around the docks and see if someone else has used one in your area. What my sign maker wanted is the measurement of a block of space where I wanted the lettering to go. He then used his computer to size the font to fit & fill the space. Get a good grade of material. Scotch-Cal from 3M is one of the best brands of sheeting and it comes in many grades. Make sure your sign maker uses a grade of sheeting that has a 5 to 7 year sun exposure rating and that the adhesive is compatible with gelcoat. Have the sign maker install the graphic. The adhesive is pretty aggressive and one mistake in application and you could lose the whole graphic. I'm in the process of redoing the name on my 26.5. The name was painted on about 5 years ago and now is cracking and peeling. The vinyl hailing port lettering put on at the same time is doing great.
- Status