Greetings,
I finally got the actual registration for my boat, and with it will need to get new registration number decals for the hull. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to get those? Also, can you all recommend any good places to get a name and hailing port decal for the stern? (The name isn't actually required, but I'd like one) And lastly, what should I use to get the old numbers off that won't damage the gel coat? I believe they are vinyl decals, but I'm actually not 100% sure.
Thanks!
I got my registration stickers through Boat US. Very pleased. Easy to order on the web site. Came in less than a week. No more expensive than anyone else I checked. Easy to install as it comes as a single decal for each side and a spatula to smooth it out. I can't decide on a name so I left the stern sides and transom bare. For now.
I used a hair dryer and some goo gone to remove the old ones. Made a mess, but it worked for me. My detail guy buffed it and waxed it but if the light hits it right, you can still see the fading of the hull around where the name was on the side, just slightly. I rarely notice it. On the bow, covered with the new sticker, I can't tell the others were ever there.
Good luck. Fair winds
Vectordirector
I recently used Boat US for the registration numbers: https://www.boatus.com/boatgraphics/lettering.asp
You pick the color, shadow effect etc. Easy to install, and look nice:
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/rbh1515/IMG_1181_zpsvfrqojiz.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/rbh1515/media/IMG_1181_zpsvfrqojiz.jpg.html)
I find that working with my local Graphics Shops for boat graphics has decided advantages, especially the face to face discussion of what you actually want, and the quick preview of draft work prior to final copy.
Give your local graphics shops a call and ask if they do boat graphics. You may be pleasantly surprised. And, you support a local shop by keeping your business local!
capt_nemo
I am in the process of getting new numbers for the beautiful Suncat I bought from Capt Nemo a couple of weeks ago. I decided to go local and am glad I did. They are very easy to work with, you can take in an old number to color match, if necessary, tweak the font, etc. Price should come out around $40 for a two tone gold on black set of registration numbers.
If I was getting new numbers and did not have to worry about matching anything preexisting, either way would work fine.
Check your state's requirements. Here in NC the letters must be min. 3" height, font must be "block style" (whatever that means), and color must contrast with hull for easy readability.
Wes
I've used http://www.lettersunlimited.com/ in the past, until I met two people who ran local sign shops, and have since used them. They can make anything you'd like reasonably. Trailer your boat to the shop and they'll remove the old ones for you and put on the new ones.
I used a heat gun to soften and then peel off the old lettering. After that, a rubber pinstripe removal wheel works great, I removed the ugly 1" gold pinstripe along the top and bottom of my CP27. Worked best to soften and peel off the sticker, then use the wheel to get the goo off.
http://smile.amazon.com/Decal-Eraser-Wheel-Pinstripe-Removal/dp/B00HZ4ABKS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1436499814&sr=8-3&keywords=pinstripe+removal+wheel] http://smile.amazon.com/Decal-Eraser-Wheel-Pinstripe-Removal/dp/B00HZ4ABKS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1436499814&sr=8-3&keywords=pinstripe+removal+wheel]http://smile.amazon.com/Decal-Eraser-Wheel-Pinstripe-Removal/dp/B00HZ4ABKS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1436499814&sr=8-3&keywords=pinstripe+removal+wheel (http://smile.amazon.com/Decal-Eraser-Wheel-Pinstripe-Removal/dp/B00HZ4ABKS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1436499814&sr=8-3&keywords=pinstripe+removal+wheel)
Vinyl stick on letters and numbers are available almost anywhere including Wal-mart. They meet the 3" high block letter government requirement. Are really cheap. The installation is a little more difficult because each character has to be stuck on individually. Not difficult but tedious. The other thing is they are are not custom. Probably OK for registration numbers but most want custom graphics for the name and hailing port. If cost is primary the stock vinyl will be there a long time.
Tom L.
Quote from: Tom L. on July 10, 2015, 10:22:27 AM
Vinyl stick on letters and numbers are available almost anywhere including Wal-mart. They meet the 3" high block letter government requirement. Are really cheap. The installation is a little more difficult because each character has to be stuck on individually. Not difficult but tedious. The other thing is they are are not custom. Probably OK for registration numbers but most want custom graphics for the name and hailing port. If cost is primary the stock vinyl will be there a long time.
Tom L.
I went the same route on the last 3 boats for the registration numbers...no hassles with state marine police complaining about the letters not being "block". I've also used the 6" letters to spell out the boat name - not as "custom" as a graphics solution, but the name was eminently readable on a 28' boat. On the PC, because of the crowded transom, I used the 3" registration letters for the name as well.
For Vinyl Graphics check out edecals.com (http://edecals.com) Great service and product. You can design your own graphic with the on line program. I have used it and been very pleased with the results.