Boat lettering/naming

Tim M · 25 April 2004, 18:32

In my quest to find things out, I was wondering how you guys name your boats. Vinyl lettering is the most common, but does it stick well to the tubes? I'm about to put some letters somewhere on my boat, but am not sure where.... I'm fast running out of space on the side of the console.

tim griffin · 25 April 2004, 18:40

tim
try warming the tubes before you stick on the lettering so they are nice and dry and make sure they are clean
tim
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk

paul tilley · 25 April 2004, 19:16

try putting a patch on the tube and then put the vinyl lettering on the patch and heat them up with a hot air gun and roll them down . the patch will not expand and contract as much as the tube and the letters should stay on longer

Tim M · 25 April 2004, 19:25

I don't really fancy putting a patch on much.......

Ian · 25 April 2004, 21:46

Tim,

Just had my tubes lettered with a specific material, don't know what it's called but the supplier has done ribs before. It went on well Saturday AM and is still looking good, no photo's I'm afraid.
I went through a printer/sign company www.therightsign.com and ask for Marc Rowlinson. He also did my console vinyl and life ring lettering.

Regards
Ian

tim griffin · 26 April 2004, 11:02

i think its called banner lettering it about 50p a letter (40mm) over here on the island
and it is more flexible than most vinyls due to the constant heating up and cooling down of the sponsons boat mart advertise a couple of graphic companies for this job www.cutsigns.co.uk
regards tim
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk

Bajan · 26 April 2004, 13:31

Tim!
Coincidentally, I was just speaking to a company called Wet & Wild based in Hamble. http://www.wild-graphics.co.uk/index2.htm

They provide decals for all sorts and they use a specific type of material for RIBs called "Flexivinyl" which apparently works very well on tubes because it swells and contract with the tubes. The lady I spoke to claimed that this material stays on for years so this might be well worth following up. They're probably one of the most popular in this area and worth a look. If you call them make sure you have an idea of length/height of the word(s) you want to apply and maybe how many letters in the name. Make sure and specify Flexivinyl or that it's for tubes on your RIB. Price also varies depending on single/mulit colour etc.

Hope that helped.

Regards

Tim M · 26 April 2004, 16:52

Just gave "wet and wild" a call. This flexi stuff isn't cheap; £2 per letter plus vat! That's gona cost..... However, their product does seem pretty good, so I think I will go for that, I just hope it stays on!

Tim M · 26 April 2004, 17:03

Just ordered with Wet and Wild. It was £40 with postage and vat. It takes 5 working days. They were a very friendly bunch, so as long as the graphics are OK I would strongly recommend them!

Bajan · 26 April 2004, 17:39

I'm glad it worked out Tim. Let me know how they hold up. I'm confident it should do the trick as they are one of the leading outfits down here that do it. I'm getting some work done by them as well so here's hoping!!

All the best.

Ian · 26 April 2004, 19:49

Tim, make sure there are two of you when you apply the lettering. Don't try to stick the lot down at once, start at one end after lining them up and rub to get all the air out as you move along the letters. You can pop any air bubbles that get caught with a pin, do not use a stanley knife!
We used a hairdryer when applied just to assist the adhesive. The sunshine at the weekend helped as well.

timboli · 26 April 2004, 20:58

I have used Wet n Wild for lettering on a GRP hull,the quality was good,although they got the colours slightly wrong so provided new transfers,no argument.

Martin · 26 April 2004, 21:03

I would recommend Wet n Wild too they did the letters for my tubes about two and half years ago and they are still staying on.

Martin

Red Fox · 26 April 2004, 21:35

www.boat-names.co.uk
just one I've seen

Hightower · 27 April 2004, 19:25

Instead of using vinyl, I was thinking of using paint pens or permament markers or something to stencil a pattern of several different colours directly to the tubes. Also to re-juvinate some old wording on the RIB. Anyone got any suggestions on what product to buy?

Tim M · 27 April 2004, 19:44

Personally I would always go for proper cut lettering; I don't think pens would have the same "crisp" and uniform finish even with a stencil.

jwalker · 27 April 2004, 20:02

Marker pens will bleach out in the sun. Use the correct paint and it will be fine for years.

Hightower · 27 April 2004, 20:06

What is the correct paint and can you get it in pen form?

xr770a · 07 May 2004, 18:49

I put my name on my transom, using car external windscreen vinyl. This stuff is common, comes in many colours, is usually aircraft grade, sticks like nothing else. I designed the letters using a suitable font and size on the PC, attached the sheets to the vinyl, cutting them and the vinyl out with a craft knife. Fantastic results very cheaply. Hint, first apply soapy water to the clean area where the name is to go, then apply vinyl, slide to position and remove any air from behind using a credit card covered in something like j cloth. Leave for 24 hours and bingo !

Tim M · 07 May 2004, 18:52

Another Southern Pacific owner!!!!

I put my "flexo" letters on (all £45 of them!!!) the other day. They stuck very well, so I am hopeful they will last.