Arizona may be famous for its deserts, but statistics prove that – per capita – boat ownership is highest in and around Scottsdale and Phoenix. With the easy 45-minute drive from Phoenix to Lake Pleasant – or the beautiful short drive from Scottsdale to Saguaro Lake – it makes sense that boaters are very well represented in this area.
If you live in or near Phoenix, boat graphics and vinyl lettering should be on your mind. The Boating Safety Resource Center warns that there is required lettering every boater should display on the side of the vessel.
- Vessel registration number. If you run a boat with a propulsion engine, you must register it in Arizona (or the state where you will be primarily using it). When you receive your certificate of registration, there is a number that is prominently displayed on the paper. You need to display this number on your boat.
- Number location. The numbering must be permanent. You need to apply it to each side of the boat on the forward half. As you apply the numbers, remember to keep it with customary lettering practices and apply the individual characters to be read from left to right.
- Color choice. While you have some say in the color scheme of your vessel, you must ensure that your registration number display contrasts with the base color of the boat. In other words, if your boat is navy blue, do not choose black lettering for your number. Opt for yellow or white instead.
- Size. Federal regulations require the numbers to be at least three inches tall. The spaces between the characters must we wider than the letter “I” or the number “1.”
Moreover, boat graphics and vinyl lettering in Maricopa County must consist of block lettering that is plain and easy to read from a distance away. Rules for the display of a state registration – as opposed to a federal registration – are similar.
Does this mean it has to be boring? No! When you contact Spotlight Signs and Imaging Solutions, we not only get you set up with vinyl lettering that ensures your compliance with federal laws, but we also offer you options for decals and graphics that will dress up your boat.
- Vessel name and port information. You should display the name of your vessel as well as your mooring port on the boat’s hull. While the city and state must be close together, there are not nearly as many stringent requirements as there are for the numbers. Get a bit fanciful with different typefaces and colors that are still easy to see from a distance. Vinyl lettering is the type of durable material that is easy to apply, will easily deal with the elements and look as good today as it did four years ago.
- Business information. As an entrepreneur, you want to brand your product wherever you go. Why not partially wrap your boat? You already know how effective car wraps can be. Boat graphics that display your business information are just as easy to apply and will be just as durable as those you might find on a car.
Contact us today and find out more about vinyl lettering or graphics for your boat!
Image Credits: