Conference vicki::boats

    I was lookin' to have the name of my boat 'painted' on the hull
    but was steered towards the 'stick on' lettering. I've been told
    by some that the 'stick ons' will outlast the painted on lettering.
    Last year I visited the Boat Show (Bayside) and they had an exhibitor
    by the name of "Anchor Signs". This outfit does the 'computer
    generated' stick-on lettering while you wait in a variety of colors,
    sizes, and styles. Thats where I'm headed when the Bayside Show
    comes around.
    
    What did the captain of the new Grady decide to name his vessel.
    
    When ya goin' to commission her?
    
    /MArk  (Already thinkin' Cod & Lobster) 

    Mark,
    
      She is named SWEET DREAM II. I have called a place or two and
    am leaning towards the stick ons. It is alot cheaper especially
    is you install them your self. Painting them on requires a guy
    to travel to the boat (means paying for his travel time) where
    the computer stick ons take about 10 minutes to whip up and you
    stick them on your self. 
    
      With luck she will be in the water the 1st week of april.
    
    Bruce

    re: .0
    Acetone, but be careful because it will damage the gel coat if used
    to liberally. I've used it and have friends that have done the same
    with no problems.
    
    Rick

    ACETONE WON'T DAMAGE YOUR GEL COAT UNLESS YOU LEAVE A RAG SOAKED
    WITH IT FOR A LONG TIME. ALSO ACETONE MAY NOT REMOVE THE OLD
    PAINT. I TRIED IT ON MINE, AND THE ACETONE WOULD NOT EVEN
    PENETRATE THE SURFACE. ONE OF THE GUYS TOOK THE NAME OFF
    HIS BOAT WITH OVEN CLEANER. YOU SPRAY IT ON, AND USE A 
    "SCRUBBEE" TO WORK IT ON. IT DID A NICE JOB, AND NO
    RESULTING DAMAGES.  
    
    ON THE COMPUTER PRINTED OUT LETTERING, WHAT IS THE COST.
    GOT AN EXAMPLE.
    
    JIM.

    Bruce, 
    	I removed my bottom paint with acetone with no damage to the
    gel coat. Lacquere thinner also worked well. Regular paint thinner
    did nothing. Believe it or not, the worst results I got were with 
    bottom paint remover which was made for fiberglass; it attacked
    the gel coat on a sample I experimented with.
    	I installed vinyl lettering on the Joanie - B and am very satisfied
    with the results.
    
    
    Re .4>
    	I seem to remember paying $4 per letter two years ago. This
    was for two colored letters (contrasting border). Single colored
    letters were $2 each. The lettering was at least 3" tall.
    
    Regards,
    Paul

    Easy Off oven cleaner works great- spray it on, wait till the paint
    starts to run, then hose it off. It will leave some paint in the
    pores of the gel coat; take this off with acetone, a rag, and some
    elbow grease. I got vinyl lettering from Boat/US and was very happy
    with it.
                                                      TOM

    Bruce, I've heard of guys using oven cleaner with good results.
    If your going to put a name on the side of your Grady you should
    put it forward of the cockpit. That way when your trying to bring
    that large Mako aboard its rough skin wont remove half your name.
    
    Rich.

    Rich,
    
      It has to be accross the transome since the boat is documented.
    I only hope I have to risk scratching my boat up boating a large
    mako....
    
    Capt. Codfish

>>      It has to be accross the transome since the boat is documented.

    Not unless the boat is used for commercial purposed. For pleasure
    boats the wording says that the letters *usually* will be on the
    stern but that they are only required to be conspicuous. 

    I had my boat name made by a small sign shop in Marlboro,but I think
    they have moved or gone out of business. Try the Yellow Pages. The
    small computer generated sign makers use a 3M sticky back vinyl,
    which they had in many colors. I could select the letter style and
    size, change the slant, etc. Mine cost $20, for 2 sets of the word
    Thumper. Id stay away from anyone at a boat show- they probably
    charge 2x or 3x.

    I have decided to get the vinyl letters for my boat. I am getting
    them from GATH SIGN in tewksbury (I live in tewks). Mike Gath
    is the guy that has been working with me and he has been very
    helpful. I am getting SWEET DREAM II (6 inch letter in a semi circle)
    and Boston Ma (4 " letters below the name) in a blue metallic color.
    The price will come to about $33 with me installing them. This is
    considerablely less than places from the boat shows offer plus he
    spent time with me showing me different fonts and ways of arranging
    the name and home port. I will pick them up on sat and install them
    in a couple of weeks. Overall I recommend Gath Signs to anyone 
    looking for any kind of lettering (I have seen a couple of trucks
    he has hand painted and they are sharp).
    
    Phone is 508-851-4373.
    
    Capt. Codfish
                  

    Cap'n Codfish,
      Did Gath have something like 4" vinyl letters/numbers in a
    script like style? (color white) I'm being required to put bow
    numbers on my boat because N.H. is doing away with license plates,
    and wanted something with more class than BLOCK-LETTERS.
    if so, approximate cost/character?
    Thanks,
    Doug Whynot
    

    Yes, in fact my home port will be in script.
    4 inch letters run $1.20 a piece for a color, blk/wht are less.
    He has about 15 font to choose from, one is a fancy script another
    is called brush script.
    
    BTW they are right on rt 38 about a mile south from 495. right before
    heartland.
    
    Give him a call tell him I sent you.
    
    Capt. Codfish

    While the script lettering may be more attractive, be sure it will
    not violate the N.H. regs on bow numbers. Most call out block letters.
    With the change to bow numbers, you can bet "they'll" be looking
    closely.
    
    Jerry
    

    
    Moved by moderator...
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Note 794.0                       BOAT LETTERING                       No replies
MEMCL1::HENRICKSON                                    9 lines  14-FEB-1991 10:49
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    I'm planning to letter the sides of my new BW Montauk this spring. 
    Anyone have any experience with a place to buy decals or someone
    locally (MA) who does lettering?  I've seen the ad's in most of the
    boating mag's and have heard that outfits who sell the decals also
    frequent the boat shows.  I could use some ideas on any of these that
    offer a quality product and a reasonable price.
    
    Charlie
    DTN 232-2253                  

    see .11
    
    Capt Codfish