Boat Name Lettering

[pjust]

I'm planning to put boat name lettering on the transom of my newly-acquired Typhoon. BoatUS.com seems to have an adequate site for the vinyl letters; I was going to go with them unless someone wants to suggest an alternative. What size letters should I go with? I was thinking of 5" or 6" letters for the name (Dolcetto) and letters for the hailing port (Spruce Head) small enough to fit modestly beneath the name. But I don't know what would look best on a Typhoon's cute little transom. I'd love to hear thoughts and suggestions for those who have experience. TIA!

[Gary H]

Click "Member Benefits" at the top of this page. You will see a company named Gulfstream. They offer a discount to CDSOA members. I used them because they support this association and I believe they gave me a 15% discount. I was happy with the product and service.

I think you will find 5-6" letters to be on the small side when trying to see them from any distance. Keep in mind that if you have an outboard, you will not want to center the name if you want it to show clearly.

[Bob Lascelles]

I used Boat US for the lettering on my CD25d this summer. I was very happy with how the name came out and with the Boat US installation guidance. My boat's name is 9 characters long. 6" tall letters centered on the transom left about 10" on either end, so you may want check out how much space you have available on your transom before you decide on the font size. I used 3" tall for the home port name.

Congratulations on your new boat!

Bob

[casampson]

If it were me, I'd have the name painted on professionally...

[Sandy D.]

I have used a company out of Florida " do it yourself lettering dot com" and have been very pleased
with there product and pricing.

-Sandy

[Maine_Buzzard]

Hi Had good success with the Steve Breton in Lewiston. He'll be able to tell you the length for any size font.

http://www.decalsplusofmaine.com

Changed her hailing port from Camden to Portland with a very good match.

Buy Local!

[Oswego John]

Here is something different that might be of interest to some of you.

About eight or so years ago, I towed my Triad two wheeled trailer from central New York to southeast Massachusetts to pick up a project boat, a vintage Ty Weekender. The Ty was earlier home ported in Mattapoisett, Ma.

I suppose that there are telltale traces of me being somewhat masochistic. It seems that I have an affinity for old Cape Dorys. Nothing personal guys and gals, but who in their right mind would opt for a fifty year old seacraft equipped with a keel based mast rather than an improved tabernacle. And would you believe without cuddy cabin ports already? It would serve no beneficial purpose to argue the benefits of withdrawing teak splinters from one's derriere after a session on the wooden slat benches in the cockpit of an early Ty. It just doesn't compute. For instance, who in their right mind would restore a 1929 Ford Model A (with or without a rumble seat) or maybe a vintage MGTD?

Well, I'm guilty. I'm able to blame this quirkiness on having a senior moment. I have bought several older Tys and restored them to some semblance of their former glory. I have some sense of vindication. I have found that there are other quirky nut jobs out there. In their state of mind, they seek out and purchase these rare, restored dinosaurs of old.

I'll tell you a little secret. A well founded restoration will command as much and in many cases more of a selling price than more newer models in prime condition. I guess that there is no cure for us quirks.

I have shown some of these pictures years ago and surprisingly, some of the readers remember this Ty.

Have a good week,
O J


I don't remember if the letters were painted or vinyl. The pineapples were hand painted. Someone earlier mentioned that the name should be arced to match the rear deck curve.

Pineapple's stern lettering




Got a boo boo on the starboard bow. No biggie.

[Paul D.]

My preference is vinyl lettering as it looks good on our boat. The transoms on cape dorys are curved in two ways so the lettering needs to be curved more than one would think if you want to have the name follow the curve of the taffrail. Even if you want the lettering straight you need to curve the name a fair bit otherwise the name will appear to curve up at the beginning and the end. With vinyl lettering, you can choose the font and curve and see how it will look on the transom. I suppose you could do that too with a stencil though. Anyway, good luck. This is one I would consider a fun project, as opposed to cleaning out a water tank like I was doing today!

[Sea Hunt Video]

I was recommended to a lady who paints names on boats. I met with her the other day (in between periods of pouring rain ).

She is very nice. She wanted to make the name "Bali Ha'i" appear level ("horizontal") across the transom. I persuaded her to follow the curve of the taffrail as outlined by Paul D. below. I think we agreed on either 6" or 6.5" size lettering. She is an "artiste" so I am deferring to her on this.

The home port of "Coconut Grove, Fl." she says should be level ("horizontal") because it will be close to the boot stripe and will look funny if it has the same curve as the traffrail so close to the boot stripe. In looking at several dozen photos she had of other boats she has done I agreed with her. Most of them had the home port level across the transom. I think this lettering will be 4" size.

The splash date will now probably be postponed until early next week.