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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

lettering size for 250 names

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4handreel
Deckhand

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8 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/16/2005 : 21:06:25

First time here, and I'm sure it won't be my last - I've already learned a lot. Just bought a new 250, due to arrive early May... (Went to the @#$% boat show thinking used and walked out thinking new... How does that happen?)
One silly Q is how big do people make the letters in the names on their 25/250s? Planning to order decals online, I went to the dealer and measured the space from the upper stripe to the boot top and it's around 18". Thinking that about 6" letters will work. I'm sure it depends on the font/letters themselves and how long the name is (Four Hand Reel, oddly enough), but I'm looking for a ballpark. Any imput would be appreciated. Also, advice on best sites to order graphics from would be great. Thanks!

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2005 : 21:47:53

Mark... sorry, no advice on the graphics... but I do want to welcome you to the forum.

With your boat purchase, you should receive the first year association fees paid by Catalina Yachts... if it doesn't come thru for you... hollar at one of the officers.

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2005 : 22:37:54

Hi Mark!

No advice on the boat name size (I still haven't done mine...) except not to get too locked into what other 250 owners have done. I'd look through a bunch of Sail magazines for ideas and go from there.

You might check out http://www.speedysigns.com for vinyl lettering. I've used them twice, once for registration #'s for my inflatable and another time for an aluminum sign with a vinyl .jpg picture on it. I was happy with the quality, service and price.

Edited by - on

Northlander
1st Mate

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35 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2005 : 00:59:44

Hi Mark,

We just had our name done for our new 250 at the end of last year. We actually went to a sign designer and they scanned the boat onto the computer for us and then we scaled off a "good" size for lettering. We went with 9" tall by 30" wide. We have a short boat name, NeCia. With the boat in the water, the lettering size is perfect. Readable from a distance, not too obnoxious, and not too small. We were thinking along the lines of 6" as well in lettering size and the sign designer said one of the biggest mistakes people make with their boat names is making them too small. Below is a picture to show you 9" is reasonable. We could have actually gone bigger, but were very glad we didn't go smaller.

Shirley

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2005 : 02:10:36

That looks GREAT, Shirley! Of course, a cute dog in the pic always makes the boat look better....!

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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2005 : 09:52:27

I agree with Al. There are lots of options and great designs out there. My lettering is around 9" high & placed in roughly the same spot as Shirleys. 6" should work, but might want to make some mock-ups in diferent sizes & fonts, tape them to the side of the boat & step back to view them. 4 Hand Reel-- Square dancing?

Boat US also has a graphics production area on their website. Prices are OK.

Shirley: it seems we have sister ships.

Al: Great dog! One thing-the winch looks bigger than the stock 14 Self-tailers I have. Did you upgrade?

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Northlander
1st Mate

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35 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2005 : 11:57:35

Al, I see you installed lifeline netting. I bought some for Necia, but have not installed yet. Do you have any tips or suggestions on installation?

Chris

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Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2005 : 11:59:58

Jeff, I didn't upgrade the winch, it's probably just the wide-angle lens making it look bigger. I'll see if there's a number on it next time I'm on the boat...

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Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2005 : 12:24:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Northlander
 Al, I see you installed lifeline netting. I bought some for Necia, but have not installed yet. Do you have any tips or suggestions on installation?

Chris
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yes I do, but pictures would be much clearer than trying to describe it. I'll take some this afternoon and post them tonight.

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4handreel
Deckhand

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8 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2005 : 20:03:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Northlander
 Hi Mark,

We just had our name done for our new 250 at the end of last year. We actually went to a sign designer and they scanned the boat onto the computer for us and then we scaled off a "good" size for lettering. We went with 9" tall by 30" wide. We have a short boat name, NeCia. With the boat in the water, the lettering size is perfect. Readable from a distance, not too obnoxious, and not too small. We were thinking along the lines of 6" as well in lettering size and the sign designer said one of the biggest mistakes people make with their boat names is making them too small. Below is a picture to show you 9" is reasonable. We could have actually gone bigger, but were very glad we didn't go smaller.

Shirley

Edited by - on

4handreel
Deckhand

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8 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2005 : 20:15:30

OK, now that I've proven I'm a newbie by replying with an empty reply, I'll try again.
Shirley: thanks for the advice - your graphics look great. My name's longer (yes, it is an Irish step dance, by the way, and we're a family of four hands, one of whom is an Irish dancer), so I think I'll take the other advice about taping a mock up to the hull before going w/ any given size. Been to Seward once 10 years ago it looked like a great place for a boat. Yes, I'm envious.

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Ray Seitz
Captain

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USA
416 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2005 : 21:46:37

Congrats on the new boat! Welcome to the forum. We can't remember how big the letters are, we are thinking 8".

Edited by - Ray Seitz on 03/18/2005 05:45:30

Capt. Kurt
Navigator

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185 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2005 : 17:18:44

We went with 6" lettering. One piece of advice I was given was to avoid a script font because they are a) hard to read b) are more difficult to apply (tear easily) and c) dont last as long in the elements.

I found if a dk blue lettering with grey outline matched my pinstriping. I did the same for the registration numbers and am happy with the way it came out.

Kurt
#818 C250WK 'Tortuga'

Edited by - Capt. Kurt on 03/18/2005 17:24:10

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2005 : 19:00:41

I have to ask though, why did you name your boat turtle?

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JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2005 : 11:22:15

I had a really nice lady put the name and CF number on my boat, and deferred to her to come up with proper size and location. She suggested that cutting into the pin striping was a proper thing to do to keep the lettering high enough to be easily seen and out of the water most of the time. She came up with font and size to 'fit' my boat. I really liked her work.

Edited by - on

Northlander
1st Mate

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35 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2005 : 11:46:13

John,

I'd say your lady was right. Look's very well done!

Chris

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528
Navigator

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USA
181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2005 : 15:27:46

John,

Very nice. Her name must be "Goldy Locks", just right!

Dave

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2005 : 19:52:55

I think our lettering is 6". Sorry, I don't have a photo handy although we have a photo in the photo gallery.

Edited by - on

bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2005 : 21:42:03

Mark,

Welcome to the forum! On 'Ruah' I went with 10 inch for the 'R' and 5 inches for the 'uah'. That includes the light grey 'shadow' under the blue. I don't remember extactly how much I paid (though I'm sure it was a bit much), but I bought it from guy at a boat show that was making them 'while you wait'. Took about twenty minutes. It was all computerized so you could try different styles, colors, etc. He also keeps it on file so if you ding the side, you can order just the letters you need.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2005 : 00:19:03

I have seen Ruah in person and it really looks great.

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Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2005 : 18:36:57

Jeff,

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...the winch looks bigger than the stock 14 Self-tailers I have. Did you upgrade?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The winches are 16s. I didn't upgrade, so.....I dunno! The online spec sheet does say "14" for the 250, and "16" for the 270. Maybe Catalina was out of 14s when it came time to install the winches...??

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2005 : 19:05:29

16s were installed on 250s for several years until 14s were added to the Lewmar line.

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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2005 : 12:35:40

Arlyn,

Thanks for the clarification. Good to know the eyes are still working OK.

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Capt. Kurt
Navigator

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185 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2005 : 20:37:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by existentialsailor
 I have to ask though, why did you name your boat turtle?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

From the tortoise and the hair story. (the tortoise wins, slow and stready wins the race..)

I have a lot of motor boats on the lake where I sail. :)

Kurt
#818 C250WK 'Tortuga'

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