Boat Names - Costs and Material

Just Looking · 30 September 2006, 14:33

Hey all. As per my previous thread, I've got a Ribcraft on order.

Now, I fancy putting the boat name on the front of the tubes on both sides but it seems fairly costly.

Ribcraft offer Hypalon cut out naming at £18 per 3" letter. I am sure this will be good quality but at 11 letters each side, I will have a £400 bill to put the name on.

I don't wish to put the name on the console (appreciate much cheaper option) but am wondering what other high quality options there are for names on tubes.

Other threads mention vinyl; not sure how permanent/good quality this is.

Thoughts appreciated.

Nos4r2 · 30 September 2006, 15:08

Paint it on with tube paint? Might affect resale value though-but putting anything on the tubes will do that as someone will have to remove it if they don't like the name.

Andy Moore · 30 September 2006, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Paint it on with tube paint? Might affect resale value though-but putting anything on the tubes will do that as someone will have to remove it if they don't like the name.

What? Changing a vessel's name? Very bad luck!

BogMonster · 30 September 2006, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Looking

Hey all. As per my previous thread, I've got a Ribcraft on order.

Now, I fancy putting the boat name on the front of the tubes on both sides but it seems fairly costly.

Ribcraft offer Hypalon cut out naming at £18 per 3" letter. I am sure this will be good quality but at 11 letters each side, I will have a £400 bill to put the name on.

I don't wish to put the name on the console (appreciate much cheaper option) but am wondering what other high quality options there are for names on tubes.

Other threads mention vinyl; not sure how permanent/good quality this is.

Thoughts appreciated.

The name's on mine with Hypalon letters (I assume done by Humber for the original owner) and it looks rubbish now as some bits have come off the letters and none of it is very well stuck on. I was actually thinking about trying to get it off because it looks horrible now. So I wouldn't bother if I was you...

Endeavour · 30 September 2006, 17:42

How about CRYSTAL DOMED stickers on ya console. The same type that are used on some engine cowls, larger boat manufacturers and caravans. They do look quite smart....

http://www.magnetta.com/enhtm/crystal.html

jwalker · 30 September 2006, 18:18

DIY.
Print some nice letters on your computer and cut them out.
Get a bit of hypalon and draw around your letters with a biro the same colour as the hypalon.
Cut them out.
Mount them on your tubes using tape to get the spacing correct.
Draw around them using a similar colour to your tubes.
Lightly sand the tubes within the letter outline.
Sand the back of the letters.
Apply two coats of adhesive to both surfaces and stick em down before the second coat dries. It gives you a bit of sliding to adjust time.
Use a wee drop of cellulose thinners to clear off any excess glue.
Job done.

It is easier to use cut out hypalon than to paint the letters on.

Tim M · 30 September 2006, 18:45

Or get some flexo-vinyl from wet and wild - works really well on tubes and you can easily take it off.

John Kennett · 30 September 2006, 19:31

I'd go for the flexible vinyl too. It's not expensive, easy to apply, and reasonably durable. It probably won't last the lifetime of the boat, but can be removed without too much trouble if you want to replace it.

John

Simon B · 01 October 2006, 18:16

Been thinkin of putting our name on boat was going to use 2 layers of hypalon and cut through both to give a reversed out sign say black on white but with the advantage of it then being in the same plane and less likely to curl. Will choose a typeface with curved corners.

Just Looking · 01 October 2006, 20:11

Thanks for the info guys; has given me a few more ideas. I'll discuss with Ribcraft when I go on my boat half built visit.

BogMonster · 01 October 2006, 20:36

Here is what mine looks like at 6 years old, hypalon lettering cut out as inverse letters to show the layer underneath.

The whole top layer has lifted away from the layer underneath and it looks rubbish.

Biggles · 01 October 2006, 20:46

Stephen,

Why don't you take it off. Clean it up and glue back on.

Just Looking · 01 October 2006, 21:39

Mmm, interesting. Has anyone else got any pictures of more successful techniques, perhaps with that flexo-vinyl.

Millermob · 01 October 2006, 21:47

Got these from wet and wild, easy to apply, seem to be pretty durable and look nice and crisp.

Freddie

BogMonster · 01 October 2006, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Stephen,

Why don't you take it off. Clean it up and glue back on.

Inertia. I can't be bothered

Downhilldai · 01 October 2006, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Here is what mine looks like at 6 years old, hypalon lettering cut out as inverse letters to show the layer underneath.

The whole top layer has lifted away from the layer underneath and it looks rubbish.

If I were you, I'd find somewhere a bit safer to store that knife, or the lettering will be the last of your worries.

limeydal · 02 October 2006, 01:21

Flexi vinyl on my own.
However the larger size lettering does seem to bubble

My original registration lettering(on the bow) havn't budged after a couple of years. But found the 7" bubble quite a lot;probably due to the expansion and contraction. (Does get a bit toasty over here though

)
Dont think it's going to wear that well

cheers Dal

BogMonster · 02 October 2006, 03:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

If I were you, I'd find somewhere a bit safer to store that knife, or the lettering will be the last of your worries.

I just knew when I put it in there to show how the lettering had lifted, that I was going to take some flak from somebody about it

Tim M · 02 October 2006, 11:20

I would go for vinyl as I said before as it's cheap and easy to replace. However, I think Ribcraft do a very good job on their lettering (not convinced it worth £400 though). This is the Ribcraft logo (done in the same way as they would do the boat name). I don't know how old the boat is but it's certainly not a recent model - I'd say its about 7 years old. The lettering is still as good as the day it was made, no lifting on the corners either.

Alan S · 02 October 2006, 12:37

I got vinyl lettering made up by Dawson Signs (www.dawsonsigns.co.uk) for the tubes as well as SSR number for console. Good value and no problems although only one season and I have tried to maintain tube pressure so no issues with deflating and then reinflating. I did try to clean the tubes well first to achieve a good surface for the lettering. No connection just a (so far) happy customer!