Is it right for a boat to have the name painted on? I have just bought one second-hand that doesn't. Is there a correct etiquette or does it not matter? |
It is part of the family fun of Merlins to have the boat name clear on the boat in some way. I suggest the etiquette is relatively open. No blatent crudity and presentation style/humour respected. |
If you like the name, show it...if you dont, change it! |
On the cusp of the 50's-60's 684 Crewcut had a rather fetching pair of Scissors on her bow together with a barbers pole mast (at least when owned by Tony Fox and Sailed by John Oakley.), 999 Rozzer(Clive Curtis.) had a rather good Policeman with truncheon drawn on her bow and 1011 rrhubarb (Derek King.) a couple of rather floppy crossed sticks of rhubard. There have probably been lots of other examples but these are the only ones of which I am aware. |
Charge was a lovely boat, no doubt she now is once again as a part of the Davies empire. |
The boats registered name is 'Mahogony', which I assume is what it is built out of. It's not a name that I would have chosen but I don't dislike it. It would seem a shame to change it. |
Isn't Mahogony an Opera? "Rise and fa of City of Mahogony", the wood is Mahogany I think. |
It's Mahagony by Kurt Weill. Even noisier and longer than anything by Wagner. |
If the name doesnt inspire anything artistic, you can still choose a nice font and get it stuck on the transom. It adds character - Merlins are never souless like some modern classes can be. |
The idea of painting a logo on the bows seemed really good - till I thought about it! |
has anyone used vinyl signwriting, I know it is pretty permanent on vans and cars etc? |
Heaven Sent did indeed have a very beautiful piece of signwriting in Gothic script. I have replaced it following the repaint with vinyl lettering which isn't quite as classy but a great deal cheaper, still looks pretty good I think. Has shown no inclination to fall off after about 3 years. |
My old boat 3478 'Terrabyte' had beautiful hand painted gothic name either side of the hull. As the boat was Turner built it may pay to drop Jon Turner a line and find out who did the artwork on this an most of his boats. |
Yes we have used vinyl signwriting on all our recent boats. |
If it's a wooden boat, the best idea is to ask at a narrowboat yard/builders as they do quite a lot of signwriting. |
Our T shirt printing friend also does boat names and has done a few for fellow club members which still look good after some time. See link and give him a call. http://www.crestofawave.com |
Rather than paint directly on to the transom I painted a Gannet on a piec of thin ply and tacked it on with a couple of brass pins. It saves having to do it again if I have to do a revarnish or if the next owner doesn't like it they can take it off easily. HOWEVER brass pins through a plastic boat ......... maybe not!!! http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/gallery/view_photo.asp?folder=gallery/vintage&file=gannet_transom.jpg |
Check out http://www.funkymonkeyboatnames.com/, I used tried and tested times roman for the Merlin, something more exotic, with a couple of graphics for the children's Mirror. |