Hi, Can anyone offer any referrals, suggestions, etc. on putting a name on a boat that is inexpensive, easy, and looks good? I received some catalogs from some advertisers in "Sail" magazine - McKenzie and Lettersmith, to be specific. They offer vinyl lettering, among other types - and was wondering how well this would hold up and look. Has anyone tried this? My neglected little 29 year old Cat. has never worn a name that I've known of - think she deserves to display one! Thanks, Lisa
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Making Your Own
I haven't tried this yet, but it's in Sail Magazine's "Things That Work" book. First, buy sheet adhesive vinyl at a hardware or art supply company (might be more colors there). Then use your computer wordprocessor to pick out a nice looking font; print out the letters for the name in the size you want and use an x-acto knife to turn them into templates. Transfer to the vinyl, use that x-actor knife again, and "presto" -- custom lettering! Or, so says the book. We're planning to try this on a hard dinghy. Mike Turner S/V Amity
I haven't tried this yet, but it's in Sail Magazine's "Things That Work" book. First, buy sheet adhesive vinyl at a hardware or art supply company (might be more colors there). Then use your computer wordprocessor to pick out a nice looking font; print out the letters for the name in the size you want and use an x-acto knife to turn them into templates. Transfer to the vinyl, use that x-actor knife again, and "presto" -- custom lettering! Or, so says the book. We're planning to try this on a hard dinghy. Mike Turner S/V Amity
Name
I used McKenzie and it was very complicated Celtic lettering with fancy scrolling. My son is graphic artist and he did the design and put it on disk and mailed it to them. Turned out great. Four years now and it looks like new. I would check with a local sign maker since most now have computerization and can produce about anything simple. Check the internet also. I'm replacing my hull tape and have found some very reasonable pricing.
I used McKenzie and it was very complicated Celtic lettering with fancy scrolling. My son is graphic artist and he did the design and put it on disk and mailed it to them. Turned out great. Four years now and it looks like new. I would check with a local sign maker since most now have computerization and can produce about anything simple. Check the internet also. I'm replacing my hull tape and have found some very reasonable pricing.
Boat Name
Hi Lisa, I just had a local Sign Co. put my boat's name on a new life ring for the stern. He used vinyl letters and then put a clear coat over top for extra portection. In total it was eight letters and clear coat and he charged me $20.00. It looks great, he matched the same letter font and colour as the boat name. Good luck. Ron
Hi Lisa, I just had a local Sign Co. put my boat's name on a new life ring for the stern. He used vinyl letters and then put a clear coat over top for extra portection. In total it was eight letters and clear coat and he charged me $20.00. It looks great, he matched the same letter font and colour as the boat name. Good luck. Ron
Don't really know if vinyl is superior?
Lisa: I do not know if vinyl is really superior to paint. Our paint lasted for 12 + years with out looking toooooo bad. Our boat had a southern exposure so I think that this is better than vinyl. We just had ours redone with vinyl with a script and shadow (name done twice) for $58 (Heather Marie). The original sign painter wanted $125 to redo our boat. There is a difference with the quality of vinyls and which ones should be used. I would never consider putting a clear coat over these names. The cost of trying to remove the name with a clear coat without damage to the gel coat is not worth it. So the bottom line here is try a vinyl name. If you do not like the look in a couple of years you can remove it and have the painted application done. I am not sure about how well something is going to hold up in the hot & bright Phoenix sun. I don't think ANYTHING will do really well.
Lisa: I do not know if vinyl is really superior to paint. Our paint lasted for 12 + years with out looking toooooo bad. Our boat had a southern exposure so I think that this is better than vinyl. We just had ours redone with vinyl with a script and shadow (name done twice) for $58 (Heather Marie). The original sign painter wanted $125 to redo our boat. There is a difference with the quality of vinyls and which ones should be used. I would never consider putting a clear coat over these names. The cost of trying to remove the name with a clear coat without damage to the gel coat is not worth it. So the bottom line here is try a vinyl name. If you do not like the look in a couple of years you can remove it and have the painted application done. I am not sure about how well something is going to hold up in the hot & bright Phoenix sun. I don't think ANYTHING will do really well.
West Marine has Lettering
Hi Lisa: Go to West Marine, or look at their catalog on-line. They offer vinyl lettering cut according to the size, font and color that you select. I'm thinking about doing that for my boat. Don't know how to get the old name off though. And yes! Your boat does deserve a name!! Melody
Hi Lisa: Go to West Marine, or look at their catalog on-line. They offer vinyl lettering cut according to the size, font and color that you select. I'm thinking about doing that for my boat. Don't know how to get the old name off though. And yes! Your boat does deserve a name!! Melody
Paint it
Hello Lisa: I did one of my previous boats this way. prepare transom for painting, get some white contact shelf paper, apply to transom. Now play with design or name you want on paper. When satisfied, use an exacto knife to cut out the design/name and then simply paint with a good oil enamel. When finished, remove paper, Voila. Good luck red
Hello Lisa: I did one of my previous boats this way. prepare transom for painting, get some white contact shelf paper, apply to transom. Now play with design or name you want on paper. When satisfied, use an exacto knife to cut out the design/name and then simply paint with a good oil enamel. When finished, remove paper, Voila. Good luck red
Vynal precut graphic's,
I was an Aircraft designer, I painted my boat's name on the stern, did it in enamal, and would wipe off with acetone, and I also am a portrate painter and sculpturer, But what they can do with a computer and have it cut out perfectly is great and not expensive, and lasts much longer than enamalI found one place Aqua Graphics 1-800 205 6652, I got it the next day, I wanted two, one per rear side, Hey I could paint one, but try to match the other side, Leonardi, couldn't do it.
I was an Aircraft designer, I painted my boat's name on the stern, did it in enamal, and would wipe off with acetone, and I also am a portrate painter and sculpturer, But what they can do with a computer and have it cut out perfectly is great and not expensive, and lasts much longer than enamalI found one place Aqua Graphics 1-800 205 6652, I got it the next day, I wanted two, one per rear side, Hey I could paint one, but try to match the other side, Leonardi, couldn't do it.
Vinyl Lettering
Hi Lisa I used West Marine Vinyl Lettering. Its been on 3 yeare and still looks great. The name come covered with a clear cover sheet to keep the letters lined up. You just follow the instructions and squeegee the letter strip on, remove the clear sheet and there's your name with all the spacing even and the letters lined up. Much easier than cutting out individual letters and trying to line them up on the hull. Good luck, Paul
Hi Lisa I used West Marine Vinyl Lettering. Its been on 3 yeare and still looks great. The name come covered with a clear cover sheet to keep the letters lined up. You just follow the instructions and squeegee the letter strip on, remove the clear sheet and there's your name with all the spacing even and the letters lined up. Much easier than cutting out individual letters and trying to line them up on the hull. Good luck, Paul
Home made vinyl letters
I did my C25 years ago by buying sheet vinyl at an art supply store. I bought some 6-inch stencils and cut out the letters, then applied them to the boat. Looked as good as new after 16 years. The tricky part was getting the letters properly spaced. Also the font wasn't too fancy. I think that convinced my wife that she wanted to have a professional outfit do the name on our present boat. Nice job, but it cost $450!
I did my C25 years ago by buying sheet vinyl at an art supply store. I bought some 6-inch stencils and cut out the letters, then applied them to the boat. Looked as good as new after 16 years. The tricky part was getting the letters properly spaced. Also the font wasn't too fancy. I think that convinced my wife that she wanted to have a professional outfit do the name on our present boat. Nice job, but it cost $450!
Used a local sign company for Vinyl
Call around to local sign companies and find someone who computer typesets the vinyl lettering. I had the boat name done in 2-color (Burgandy with grey shadow) in 6 inch lettering arranged in a slight arch and 3" port of call ("Corpus Christi Texas is relatively long) in black. It was very easy to install and looks GREAT!!!. The total price was only about $75.00. Good Luck Jim Cook "Dream Chaser"
Call around to local sign companies and find someone who computer typesets the vinyl lettering. I had the boat name done in 2-color (Burgandy with grey shadow) in 6 inch lettering arranged in a slight arch and 3" port of call ("Corpus Christi Texas is relatively long) in black. It was very easy to install and looks GREAT!!!. The total price was only about $75.00. Good Luck Jim Cook "Dream Chaser"
Yes, local sign company
I am about to do the same, if we ever get to 50 degrees. Seven, six inch vinyl letters, in a fancy font style, 9 bucks. The current lettering is vinyl and has been in place for at least six years and it looks good.
I am about to do the same, if we ever get to 50 degrees. Seven, six inch vinyl letters, in a fancy font style, 9 bucks. The current lettering is vinyl and has been in place for at least six years and it looks good.
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