Dinghy registration letters

J

jstokes

Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2001
RO Number
6292
Messages
115
Is there a preferred product/technique for affixing registration numbers and sticker to a PVC dinghy? Advice appreciated. Thanks.
 
jstokes,

Here's a pic of how I attached mine. I can detach the lexan panel for dingy storage.

DSC00269.jpg
 
In Maryland the numbers must be fixed to the hull. I bought a stencil and paint kit from West Marine and painted the numbers on each side of my Zodiac and I painted a square large enough for the registration sticker.

Greg
 
I also attached my tags and numbers to plates you buy in boat stores for registration numbers.
 
boat number plates dot com.

these plates are made of pvc or haplon and you permanetly glue them on.
 
I first used the number plates attached to the dinghy lifeline with zip ties. But because I store my dinghy up on its side in a bracket on the swim platform, the plate that was down against the swim platform would go bad and even break off. Finally I bit the bullet and used the stencil paint kit and it has held up very well for the last two years. And like Maryland, Michigan actually requires they be put directly on the boat although I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for using the number plates which are very common.
 
I've always felt that the requirement to permanently affix them to a dinghy to be overkill, but it is the law in Maryland. I've also never heard of anyone getting a ticket for not. I think the authorities responsible for issuing those tickets are pretty reasonable themselves, and know that many people already use the plates, and a dinghy isn't a very effective delivery vehicle for large amounts of terrorist explosives and such. I think they have better things to do than issue tickets for registration plates. I haven't changed from my plates, yet. Wondered how the paint held up when you rolled up the dinghy. Seems like it would eventually crack and start to look bad, and the cost of the kit and the little square just to put the sticker on is just crazy in my opinion, especially when you already have a perfectly functional plate. But there is still the legal requirement to contend with. I'm very much a law abiding citizen, so I really struggle with the need to comply with a requirement that I believe serves no purpose at all. I'll probably do it next year out of guilt, but I do think its pretty silly.
 
You can also purchase a white plastic / semi-flexible piece directly from the marine stores for just like the one shown in the photo. It also includes the bungie mounting cord. It is much softer and less likely to injure or cut into anything.
 
At first I tried the paint on numbers to be in compliance with the law, but the paint in the kit was too watery and ran everywhere under the stencil. The registration sticker at that time was also affixed to the hull but with rolling up the dingy, came loose and I have to go to DNR for a replacement sticker. Now we also use the number boards attached to the rope handles, but have them attached to snaps so they can be removed for rolling up the dingy or for storage.
 
Ive got a PVC Zodiac, and I used a stencil, but with a Sharpie. Worked great, I can touch it up any time and it's much neater than paint.
 
It's kind of hard to tell in the picture above, but I also used small clips to attach the board to the rope handle. The clips I used are like this.

0121-0.jpg


This way, I can detach the numbers from the boat for storage. So far, so good...
 
I also use a Permanent Magic Marker, "Sharpie". A few years back there was a lot of dinghy theft in our area. Marinas would find the Plastic plates as shown above cut off and left behind. Authorities recommended this new method. If it was stolen the thieves had an incredibly tediuos task of removing the marker. It would still leave a shadow though. Easy touch as indicated also
 
quote:
Originally posted by TJM

I also use a Permanent Magic Marker, "Sharpie". A few years back there was a lot of dinghy theft in our area. Marinas would find the Plastic plates as shown above cut off and left behind. Authorities recommended this new method. If it was stolen the thieves had an incredibly tediuos task of removing the marker. It would still leave a shadow though. Easy touch as indicated also

Click to expand...


A few folks around here use a Magic Marker for the numbers on their "real" boats. Not a lot of pride.

A friend of mine sent away somewhere for custom made numbers that glue on. He told me that there was a different glue for PVC, Hypalon, etc. and that it akes a week to cure. They look nice. I can find out where if anyone cares.
 
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