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Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 2:13 pm
by K4282
Many fishing vessels in the Cape and larger ships have their boat name displayed on the bow, I'm wondering if I can do this on my F32, a coast guard auxiliary friend said he thinks only documented boats can do this, mine is not. We both agree the likelihood of getting in trouble if i do decided to do it are slim to none but I'm curious the law, I can't seem to find any information online. Thanks, o and by the way her in Rhode Island registration numbers must be displayed on the forwarded half of the vessel, that's easy I have them on my upper deck area just where the raised part goes down to the flush area, I plan to do the same on my new one
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 2:49 pm
by jimbo36
Registered vessels are required to display the registered name of the vessel on both sides, transom and permanently marked on a stringer. That is my understanding. As for putting the name on your licensed vessel on the side, go for it. Just look at all the offshore boats with the name across the entire side of the boat!.

Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 3:20 pm
by K4282
Hmmm, Outerlimits near me makes offshore race boats and usually has the name in huge letters down the side, I suppose I could no it, I think your describing USCG Documented boats and not registered, in US we don't need to display any name unless Documented, but we can...
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:01 pm
by bjanakos
Unless your state says otherwise, there are no laws against displaying your boats name anywhere on the vessel so long as you are displaying your state numbers as they should.
Documented vessels must display it's name ANYWHERE on the vessel. Document numbers are afixed to the stringer or any interior portion of the hull.
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 12:48 pm
by lawyerdave71
I just looked into this as I am replacing my bow name.
If the vessel is documented and used for commercial purposes, a bow name must be displayed.
A documented vessel for pleasure is not required to display a bow name just on the stern.
The rules are on coast guard website.
As for registration in a state, I don't see a problem adding a bow name. I've seen a lot of them.
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 2:33 pm
by bjanakos
lawyerdave71 wrote:
A documented vessel for pleasure is not required to display a bow name just on the stern.
The rules are on coast guard website.
"The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull."
Right off the website.
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:53 pm
by K4282
thanks for the information, im going to have the name applied to either side of the bow before she splashes
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 6:25 pm
by prowlersfish
For documented vessels in the U S A
HOW DO I MARK MY VESSEL?
"The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded by the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.
The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull. The vessel name of a commercial vessel must also be marked on the port and starboard bow and the vessel name and the hailing port must also be marked on the stern. All markings may be made by any means and materials that result in durable markings and must be at least four inches in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals. The "hailing port" must include both a place and a State, Territory, or possession of in the United States. The state may be abbreviated."
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For the op K4282 I see no reason you can't put them on the Bow .
I have mine on the stern and also on the bow , as I am required by the CG ( see above )
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:18 pm
by bjanakos
K4282 wrote:thanks for the information, im going to have the name applied to either side of the bow before she splashes
Thare ya go!
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:38 am
by prowlersfish
Just make sure your state numbers are placed in accordance to state and federal laws .
http://www.usps.org/national/vsc/polici ... selreg.pdf
Remember to check with your state too and the numbers / sticker must be visible . Some LEO like to be able to see the numbers when approaching from the bow . Again check with your state .
http://www.boat-ed.com/ri/handbook/register.htm
This is one reason I like to be documented no state numbers ( some state require a sticker on documented boats )
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 11:07 am
by larryeddington
My USCG document vessel requires state sticker, no stinking number or name upfront. Name and hailing port required on stern. Texas
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 3:04 pm
by bjanakos
The Peoples Republic of Illinois requires a $ticker too... Need to make sure they collect.
Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 4:51 pm
by K4282
Here we require registration number and sticker, doesnt say anything about not being able to do the name its getting made as we speak, I'll be moving the registration numbers to the upper deck as I did my first F32

Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 5:03 pm
by K4282
Here's the first picture of the name across the bow, it's hard to tell he said this side is a little crooked and he's redoing it

Re: Can I display my boat name on the bow?
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 5:43 pm
by bjanakos
Looks great!