Don't like difficult-to-read boat name fonts

[markpierce]

So, why do many boaters use difficult-to-read fonts for their boats' names? That irks me, and wonder why USCG documentation rules don't help.

[Insequent]

Perhaps its different rules for Documented boats versus State registered only? But I agree - if you are going to have a name it should be readable.

That's the case here. State rego is mandatory but rules cover rego numbers only. Boat names, size & font and location is not covered or required.

But if you want to travel outside the country you also need national rego with AMSA. In this case the size of lettering, and font, is regulated for both the rego numbers and boat name. You need a secure/tamper resistant number internally as well, and it is broadly equivalent to USCG documentation.

One difference is that in Australia you have to nominate a home port from a short list of designated ports. I find it weird that it appears the USCG will accept anything, even a place nowhere near water, as home port.

[Sabre602]

The vast majority of recreational boaters don't have a documented vessel. State registration rules don't regulate what the boat's name looks like, nor do they even require a name at all.

So...who cares what other folks put on their transoms? I only care what MY transom looks like.

[Sabre602]

Originally Posted by Insequent

Perhaps its different rules for Documented boats versus State registered only? But I agree - if you are going to have a name it should be readable.

That's the case here. State rego is mandatory but rules cover rego numbers only. Boat names, size & font and location is not covered or required.

But if you want to travel outside the country you also need national rego with AMSA. In this case the size of lettering, and font, is regulated for both the rego numbers and boat name. You need a secure/tamper resistant number internally as well, and it is broadly equivalent to USCG documentation.

One difference is that in Australia you have to nominate a home port from a short list of designated ports. I find it weird that it appears the USCG will accept anything, even a place nowhere near water, as home port.

That sounds very much like the rules we have here in the US as well as in Canada. State (or provincial) registration specifies only what the registration numbers look like and how they're displayed. They don't care about boat names or hailing ports.

To go abroad the vessel must carry federal paperwork: USCG documentation here in the States, Transport Canada registry up north. That's when the naming becomes regulated. Yup, you can homeport the vessel in the middle of the desert if you wish! Now that you mention it, that is kinda strange....

[markpierce]

Some people are more interested in being cute or artistic with legibility be damned. ... Find this problem with documented vessels too often. ... Find it helpful to be able to identify a boat by name. ... A shame that most boats aren't effectively named for identification or at all. ... Aahh, boating among difficult people.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Some people are more interested in being cute or artistic with legibility be damned. ... Find this problem with documented vessels too often. ... Find it helpful to be able to identify a boat by name. ... A shame that most boats aren't effectively named for identification or at all. ... Aahh, boating among difficult people.

You live among difficult people. Haven't you seen business logos that were fancy and colorful but you couldn't figure out the name of the business?

[oscar]

Never mind the font. How about the name? When I name a boat I close my eyes and say.... "Mayday Mayday Mayday this is SV/MV XXXXXXX"

1: Can the average Joe understand the name on a crappy radio in a stormy night?
2: Is the Coastguard Radio Operator going to fall off his chair laughing?
3: Are they going to say "What a dick name..... why don't you float around for a while, we'll get to you...."

Of course this is not likely, but still, something plain English and not too punny will go a long way towards effective communication.

[FF]

Well at least" Carpe Deum " has died off as a name.

[angus99]

Kar-KEEN-ez Koot

How’s that pronounced again?

[CaptTom]

I have to side with Mark on this.

I know names are not necessary, and that some folks like to be cute with them.

But out in the real world, there are times when communication with other boats or agencies is important. When they're in trouble. When you're in trouble. When you're helping someone who's in trouble. Or just trying to navigate safely. Comms matter.

Cute names, either spoken or written, really detract from safety in these cases.

OK, I've said enough. Yes, it's a pet peeve.

[Chrisjs]

FF, "carpe deum" means "seize the god" ---maybe abbreviated from "seize the goddam line"???

[Steve]

I remember a sailboat named Zubenelgenubi, for the star. I guarantee he would have a rough time getting that name across to New Orleans bridge and lock tenders.
Years ago I thought ISIS would have been a nice boat name, not so much anymore.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by markpierce

So, why do many boaters use difficult-to-read fonts for their boats' names? That irks me, and wonder why USCG documentation rules don't help.

Yeah, difficult to make out script when trying to offer a slow pass. The other day we passed a Canadian sailboat, never did figure out what the name was. Possibly complicated by being in French (maybe). No response to our attempt to radio or hail... perhaps 'cause we mangled whatever we thought the boat name might have been...

-Chris

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Chrisjs

FF, "carpe deum" means "seize the god" ---maybe abbreviated from "seize the goddam line"???

I like "Seize the Carp."



-Chris

[Moby Nick]

Failed to attach pics to my post above.

[Larry M]

Maybe during the naming process of one’s boat, they should try spelling it using the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet (IRSA). I bet that would shorten a few names. We’re near the Ortega River Bridge, one of the busier bascule bridges in FL. Listening to boats, with hard to pronounce names, trying to spell them using the IRSA can be pretty entertaining.

[Nomad Willy]

I agree Mark,
For many the need to be cute is great. Or the need to advertise one’s past nationality. But even if it’s a dumb assed joke it will be better said if easily read. My first trawler had a poor name (my fault) and it was long. That was a mistake I’ll not repeat.

Short names are best and most easily read.

[Airstream345]

Does this boat name make my transom look big?

[kthoennes]

One of the boats in our marina had its name displayed in signal flags. Quaint and interesting but functionally useless in this day and age. But then it was trapped above a dam on the Missouri River and we only use radios for weather and Saturday sailing races. All comes down to how and where a boat is used I think. "Serious" waters, locks, bridges, big shipping, you shouldn't be goofy with the name or font. Little closed waters, pulling kids on tubes on weekends, different story.

[rjwilliams11741]

Originally Posted by angus99

Kar-KEEN-ez Koot

How’s that pronounced again?

Try pronouncing the "real" spelling - Carquinez.