Attaching dinghy registration decals

[bobmorning]

How does one go about getting the vinyl letters to stick to the PVC fabric of a dinghy?

I finally get the dinghy registered. Got USCG approved decals, applied them, and 4 hrs later the letters started to peel off the PVC. Yes I did use a vinyl cleaner first and ensure that the surface was absolutely dry and clean.

West Marine does not sell the dinghy registration boards to apply the letters to as they told me that it is not USCG approved so they pulled them from the catalog. Maryland DNR says it is ok to use a board to attach letters to. A quick survey around the marina shows boards, decals, nothing, and one where the letters where hand painted on

What glues are safe to use on PVC? I'll continue googling to find a solution.

Bob

[CaptainForce]

I've tried various solutions to this problem over the years and my best and current solution is to use the special paint (available at West Marine) to paint on the letters and use the same paint to paint a square as a location to adhere the decal. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[sailingdog]

Painting generally works out better than the decals do... Another option is to put the decals on a placard and then mount the placard to the dinghy.

[Tempest]

I believe, that registration numbers are a state requirement. If your state is Maryland and they say it's ok to use boards...then they should be ok.

Defender has the boards.. Defender.com Search Results: registration plates

[remetau]

We paint ours and just stick the yearly sticker on the transom.

[saildog1]

I use stencils and a black Sharpie marker. Last longer than the paint.

[T37Chef]

I used the WM Paint once, hated it!!!! PITA, the Sharpie sounds like a good alternative. For the moment I am using a registration plate but over the winter I am going to get this, expensive but worth it IMO: BOATNUMBERPLATE Regplatekt at West Marine

[T37Chef]

Originally Posted by remetau

We paint ours and just stick the yearly sticker on the transom.

Not in Maryland, it's supposed to go aft of the registration

[lancelot9898]

Originally Posted by saildog1

I use stencils and a black Sharpie marker. Last longer than the paint.

I also use the black marker for the numbers and it has held up well, however, I do have problems with the MD registration sticker staying put even though I've tried making a base with the marker to attach the decal. The edges of the decal lift off the boat and the decal itself seems to tear easily as the season progresses.

[remetau]

Originally Posted by T37Chef

Not in Maryland, it's supposed to go aft of the registration

It is here in Florida too, but who cares as long as it can be spotted easily. If I should get a complaint about it, then I would suggest that they should make a sticker that works on an inflatable tube.

Actually, I have had my yearly sticker on the transom for 5 years now. We have been pulled over twice. Once by the USCG and the other by the FWC, and neither complained about the sticker being on the transom. They were more concerned with seeing the paper registration and the safety equipment.