Great Lettering Blog

‘Tis the season for boat lettering and registration numbers that is (actually it’s been since March). We’re busy creating a lot of boat names and hull identification numbers for our customers … so I thought it might be a good idea to post some pertinent information regarding the details of these names and numbers here.

Remember each State is different, but for the most part the following holds true of most:

Hull Identification Numbers (otherwise known as ‘boat registration numbers)

No person shall operate on the waters of this state (your state) a vessel, unless the vessel displays the assigned hull identification number. A hull identification number is unique to the vessel and allows its positive identification.

The hull identification number must be carved, burned, stamped, embossed or otherwise permanently affixed (we prefer adhesive vinyl) to the outboard side of the transom or, if there is no transom, to the outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder or other steering mechanism, above the waterline of the vessel in such a way that alteration, removal or replacement would be obvious and evident.

The characters of the hull identification number must be of not less than 12 in number and no less than one-fourth inch in height (every state differs so check with your local Fish and Wildlife website for correct dimensions). Vessels for which the manufacturer has provided no hull identification number and homemade vessels constructed or assembled by the owner shall be assigned a hull identification number by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Any questions regarding the hull identification number on a vessel should be directed to the nearest Fish and Wildlife Office or to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Customer Service Center which can be found by doing a quick search online with your state name included.

Check out this site for some good Boat Education information.

Hope this info helps.

Filed under: Boat Lettering by Great Lettering
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Vinyl used for sign making is cut using a Vinyl Cutter. 

vi - nyl (vī’nəl) n. - Any of various typically tough, flexible, shiny plastics, often used for coverings and clothing.

(defined) A vinyl sign cutter is used by professional poster and billboard sign-making businesses to produce brilliant weather-resistant signs, posters, and billboards using colorful rolls of adhesive-backed vinyl film that have a removable paper backing material. The vinyl can also be applied to car bodies and windows for large, bright company advertising.

Generally the hardware is identical to a traditional plotter except that the ink pen is replaced by a very sharp knife edge that is use to score the surface of the film to cut out each shape, and the plotter may have a pressure control to adjust how hard the knife presses down into the vinyl film. The vinyl knife may be shaped like a normal pen and can be mounted on ball-bearings so the knife edge rotates to always face the correct direction as the plotter head moves.

Once the film has been scored, the cut-out pieces are peeled off the backing paper and carefully assembled by hand to form the final image. A heat gun may be used to melt/bond the vinyl pieces to the signage. Unused sections of film are rolled up and saved for later use.

The colors available are generally unlimited but requires a large collection of separate rolls of each color needed. To prevent creasing of the film, it is typically stored in rolls about 3 to 4 inches in diameter, and the typical vinyl film roll widths are 18-inch and 36-inch. It is common for a company with a vinyl sign cutting service to have an entire room filled with rolls of colorful film supplies for their signage customers.

sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plotter (bottom), http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vinyl (American Heritage Dictionary)

Filed under: Did you know? by Great Lettering
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