Re: [Paddlewise] hull marking

From: "Joe Pylka" <pylka_at_castle.net>

> I then cut it out of
> the sheet, carefully cleaned the vinyl on the boat, and stuck it on.  Lasted
> for 8 years or so....

If you want to make life a tad easier (though more expensive) you can
get some auto signmaking outfits to make a vinyl pattern for you in
more than one color.  They can work from the output from a standard
computer graphics program and they use a computer cutter to do the image.

Look at this link and scroll down to the photo of Bert Millar, the bearded 
fellow in front of a green-decked Pintail.  The kayak above him is an Ellesmere 
with a Haida-style fish design on the bow.  I met him at a SK Symposium two 
years ago and he had the fish pattern made in this way.

http://www.adventurekayakmag.com/Vol%201%20Iss%204/features_%20kits%20v1i4.html

Bert made the design on the computer.  It cost him C$50 (or was it C$75?) 
to have the design reproduced in vinyl.  They loaded the graphics, manipulated 
it as required (including making two mirror images for either side of the hull) 
and cut the design.  Since the pattern is now in-house, more copies will not 
cost as much (no new set-up charge).

BTW - Bert is in the auto glass business and his business neighbour is the 
auto signmaking company that did the graphics, so he had the connections.  
I don't know if that price holds for the rest of us.

Mike
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