Looking for boat stripe decals ...

I have a '94 Crownline 210 CCR Cuddie cabin sport boat that I would like to get some graphics for...
I saw your web site and I'm really impressed with the stuff you guys do.
I didn't see any examples of boat stripes, but did see the boat letting, so I wonder if you do boat stripes?
My boat is fairly small (21') and right now it's really plain looking as I stripped off the old worn out factory stripe decal. I'd actually considered
ordering some updated graphics from Crownline (from their 2004 models) which are nice looking, but still rather conservative. What I was initially looking at is the new stripe pattern they are using on their small sport
boats ( www.crownline.com <
https://www.crownline.com > ) such as the 220 CCR Cuddy cabin.
I'd love to hear if you have any suggestions and/or if you have any samples of this type of thing. I'm not looking to go real wild and crazy but I certainly would like to liven up the appearance of my boat so it looks sportier and updated.
I'm in Virginia. I've never applied decals before, but have read a bit about it and I think I could handle the job. I do have a budget of @ $200
which is what the new factory stripes would cost from Crownline (which seems a bit much considering how simple they are... especially when I compare them to what you have on your car samples).

## Our Reply ##
Good questions (and articulate - better than we usually get )

The stripes offered online work great on boats. Made of the same
material as the crownline graphics. Exact same 'product' - pressure
sensitive cast vinyl. The site is just marketed for 'automotive' for
higher google rankings.

As far as 'which graphic' goes, I'll be glad to help. But probably cant
help much. This really is a personal taste issue. Many many times
customers have ordered graphics that are nothing but ugly - to me.
Later, not only to they love it, but I get comments from everywhere
about how good I did on the graphics. I dont think I've got bad taste -
but it's worth considering :). Na - I really think there is just alot
of room to express personal taste with regard to graphics. So although
the decision process can be disconcerting, what comes from it - is well
worth the effort.

Some of the first things you'll need to decide is general size, style,
color(s). Let me know what you can, and I should be able to help more.

With regard to size, you'll need to take a tape measure and go out and
measure before you'll be able to get anywhere. Nothing worse than to
get you heart set on a graphic and then find out it wont work with the
space you have.

Styles vary. Tribal, flame, checkered, broken stripe, upsweep, jagged,
abstract, flemish - are just a few styles - with dozens of choices in
each.

If you have the time, I can drop a color chart in the mail and you can
see the actual colors plus quite a few not offered online. Just let me
know where to mail.

Let me know what you can.

### Customer Reply ###
I was able to get some pictures ready along with some measurements of
certain areas of the boat to see if we can make a plan of action and/or
a
design to work with.

Right now you're also working with my wife on a design for magnet signs
for
her Pet Sitting business. They Look Great!

Attached is a picture of the boat (For fun I played with the photo and
removed the background... i don't know if it helps or hurts).
The boat is a 21 foot Crownline 210 CCR Cuddy Cabin sport boat and as
you
can see, since any and all (minimal) graphics that the boat came with
are
now gone, save for the Teal / blue-green color band in the gel-coat, it
is
pretty boring (aside from the fairly sporty style of the hull)

When I got the boat last year it had the original graphic stripe which
was
worn out and scraped in places and looked terrible, so I removed it.
There
also was a Crownline Logo at the rear portion of the color band (below
the
rub rail) that was pretty corroded and needed to get tossed.

What I'm hoping is that since you have experience with this sort of
thing...
hopefully I might be able to gain from your knowledge and wisdom and
your
design expertise on a direction to go. I have some idea... but I'm
really
having difficulty seeing what would look right, so I hope that providing
a
picture for you and some other details, you might be able to help me
come up
with a plan and some ideas.

Anyway... as you can see in the picture, I have marked off 2 foot
increments
on the boat working from the rear forward and took measurements at these
points of the width of the color band below the rub rail and the space
above
the rub rail (to the top of the gunnale / or the windshield.

I'd like to add a graphic / stripe that would accent the color band
area,
even fill in up to 75% or more of it starting from a point @ 10 feet
forward
of the transom all the way back to the transom where the color band
widens
out to it's widest width of just over 12 inches. (The rear-most tape
strip
you can see marks where the hull begins to curve to the transom). Since
there's so much open white hull above the rub rail, I think it needs
something up there as well. I'm not sure how well that would integrate
or
how it could be designed to go with what would be in the color band
though.

I have detailed measurements that I can give you if they can be of help.
Please give me a call if there is anything more I can provide to be of
assistance.

### Our Reply ###
The Predator 3 would be cool - so would the Jagged on the same
page (turned upside down - to fit the pitch).
( https://signspecialist.com/stripes/dimensional.htm
)

Side note: the above graphics we just distribute. The manufacturer will
not (and wisely so) give us the images in large format. We could simply
reproduce and alter as needed. The cost of reproducing one of these
dimensional graphic, into something other than is offered (size, color,
etc..) , is in the many hundreds. Not very cost effective. However
Image Quest mass produces these graphics (with exceptional detail) and
is therefor able to sell at a very good price.

But this makes for two negatives - the size is set and the stripes can
not be accurately rendered on a boat :(

For graphics I can work with and render check out the graphics in this
area:
https://www.signspecialist.com/stripes/vault/wild/index.htm


Let me know what you think.

### Customer Reply ###
Thank you for your prompt reply!

Actually I think it was the Jagged that Really caught my attention when I
was browsing the web site. It appears that the sizing is perhaps close to
what I'm looking for, so it's a possibility that I might be able to go with
something that Image Quest already produces and apply it on my boat.

I didn't clarify very well what I have to work with I don't think and
hopefully this might help you determine if / how you might help me more...

The Crownline graphics (standard 2004 model line) are $200 from Crownline.
They're okay... but nothing really special. They'd fit... and are designed
for the curve / shape of the color band on the hull etc... but... all the
new Crownline's have them. So I'm interested in doing something maybe...
similar, but different. Vague huh? Sorry about that. Truth is... i really
don't know what I want to do :-( But I know that I like to think I could
spend $200 - $300 with you and get something that suits me and my
application better perhaps. (The Crownline dealer actually suggested that I
find someone who does graphics rather than spend the $200 with Crownline)
My boat's not a 2004, so would it really look right with 2004 graphics on
it? Eh... maybe.

HELP!! I don't know what to do!!!
And I'm having trouble figuring out what would look good in this case.
The hull is sporty... but somewhat conservative (it's sortof a family
cruiser... as opposed to a race / waterski boat). I want it to look good...
but to still be identified as a Crownline. I'm planning to go to the VA
Boat show this weekend, and maybe I can get some ideas there based on what
some of the new boat models have going on.

I like that you recommened the "Jagged" graphic, but I'd almost prefer to
know that someone helped me pick out something that we're reasonably
confident would work properly and look good on my boat.

What do you think...

I know... the impossible question... but... let me ask you this...
If this were YOUR boat... or... maybe better... if you were me...what would
YOU do to make it look better and get noticed on the water?? Following
that, ... what would my 200-300 budget range allow me to do?

Start at the top and work down if you like. I have some time to sort this
out because it'll be a few months yet before the boat goes in the water ;-)

I'd love to know your thoughts.

P.S. I'll browse through the graphics you showed me... Wow there's a lot...
I'm not sure where to start ;-) This is part of my trouble.


### Our Reply ###
Now, remember taste vary greatly. But you did mention: "if it were mine".

I would do something like the attached. Either matching the stripe colors or using a similar color with a 'tie in' stripe on the bottom of the existing stripe. Maybe a bit more than you were thinking. Just a quick rendering.

March 15th is our date for unveiling a new feature in our stripes area. You will be able to upload a picture of your boat and create a scale drawing on your boat. You'll be able to try 'till your heart's content' the many hundreds of graphics. Even changing colors and adding shadows. The price, based on size and number of colors will be calculated 'on the spot'. It may be worth waiting a few more weeks and see what you come up with.

If you see any specific design, let me know, and I'll send a rendering.