Boat lettering
 

I'm picking up a new boat this spring and I'd like to put a name on the stern. All over the internet there are companies selling vinyl lettering. But for all the fancy stuff they cost nearly $200 for a basic name. Plus there's the stress of not screwing up the install.

Does anyone have experience having a name painted? Any wild guesses on what it would cost? I'm talking about a simple name on the transom, not a big fancy paint job down the side of the boat.

Boat Lettering
 

We bought ours at the Boat Show in Boston 2 winters ago and installed it in the spring... wasnt difficult... biggest fear was getting it straight :eek: it went on very easily- tape measure and a pencil ... ours also is across the transom: "Just JoKen" ...

The following year we got a few shamrocks to accent the lettering and also applied those ourselves..

Total cost was about $150 if I remember correctly...

Our friends over at Anchor Marine have an online design tool for boat lettering. There's more information here: http://www.anchormarine.net/lettering.htm

We had ours done at Gator Sign next to Patrick’s. They came to our marina. He did a great job. They also do the bow numbers. I would highly recommend them

Applying Decals
 

The trick to applying a decal is to wet the surface of the boat or whatever with soapy water. Set the decal in place, take it off, reset it, slide it around, whatever. When you get it where you want it use a squeegee and a damp sponge, working from the center out, to get the water out from under the decal. Once the water dries the decal will set normally.

I also had ours done by Gator Sign....The guy is awesome, can come to where your boat is and he has a real knack for design ideas!
I went there for an idea, and maybe a price....30 minutes later, my boat was lettered!
Highly recommended!!!

I also had my boats name done at Gator sign. They had numerous choices of size, fonts,and colors etc. I think it's worth the money to have a pro do it. I was very happy with their work. Good luck with your new boat.

We had our's done at Irwins. Jason, in the graphics dept. did a great job. We had a graphic design plus the name, etc.

Gator signs
 

Gator is definitely the way to go. Great service, and a great job. He did an especially good job helping us pick out the font and style!

Sundancer

I guess old fashoined hand painted lettering has lost out to vinyl. I've seen the vinyl being applied and I'm sure it's not that hard. As Don pointed out Anchor marine and many other websites can provide the lettering.

But do any of you that had Gator or Irwin do it, want to give me a ballpark hint what these cost installed on the boat?

Also check Boatus.com.....they have a design service online.

.....& for that classic mid-1970's look!
 

Whether you are boating on a budget or doing headway speed down the channel with 1240 horse power on-board, here's a retro method. At 44 cents each, Wal-Mart sells these three inch high, black on white, reflective letters & numbers that are easy to align since they are a square format and they have that mid-1970's el-deluxo look. Hey you know what they say; the richer you get-the cheaper one becomes!

Long live the 1970's! Boats are just like people; it's not the age, it's the condition that counts!

I used our local sign shop
 

I bought my vinyl boat name at a sign lettering company in Concord,NH.
It was really inexpensive compared to Boat US or any of the other internet or marine lettering services.
One trick...if you use vinyl letters, wipe the lettered area with alcohol to remove any excess wax.
It's a piece of cake to do..if I can do it, anyone can!
PMJ

Anchor Marine
 

Don is right. Anchor Marine http://www.anchormarine.net/lettering.htm has great prices and quick turn around. Even if you want some fancy lettering etc. they can do it. :) I opted for simple lettering http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...o=9067&cat=502
The instructions with the lettering was excellent. 2+ years later it still looks great. Putting it on yourself save alot of $$$.

Irwins did mine for me when I bought my boat, so it was a "freebie" courtesy of my salesman. The also did the graphics and lettering for my truck, both doors and tailgate. Around $200, but again, 3 color graphics, lettering and installation.

Pssst: Fatlazyless
 

Shhh.

I bought my sailboat's pre-cut, pre-spaced, self-adhesive, vinyl name "Wind Tax" for my un-powered sailboat? (With an arrow pointing to the registration number).

Thirty dollars at PegasusAutoRacing! (Race-car graphics).

Don't tell anybody.


Shhhh.

if you are looking for the good old fashion paint,there is a guy in Meredith that still does hand lettering. And he does awesome work. I dont have his # but if you want it I will be seeing him later today. He is making a sign for my buisness. Just let me know...