Installation Guide
How to Install Boat Registration Decals
Your registration numbers ship pre-spaced on transfer tape, so the whole number goes on as a single piece. Set aside about 30 minutes for both sides. You need masking tape, a squeegee or plastic card, a tape measure, and isopropyl alcohol with a clean cloth.
Nine steps from box to hull
- 1
Clean the hull
Wash the area with soap and water, then wipe it with isopropyl alcohol to remove wax, polish and salt residue. Vinyl will not bond through wax. Let the surface dry completely.
- 2
Measure the location
Registration numbers go on the forward half of both sides of the hull, above the waterline, reading left to right. Measure the same distance from the bow and the same height above the rub rail on each side so the port and starboard sets match.
- 3
Position the decal
Hold the decal — still on its backing and transfer tape — against the hull and step back to check it is level and clear of hardware, rivets and strakes. Mark the top corners lightly with masking tape.
- 4
Make a tape hinge
Run a strip of masking tape along the top edge of the decal so it acts as a hinge. This lets you lift the decal without losing the position you just set.
- 5
Remove the backing
Flip the decal up on the hinge and peel the paper backing away at a sharp angle, leaving the lettering stuck to the clear transfer tape. If a character lifts with the backing, lay it back down and press it into the transfer tape before continuing.
- 6
Apply the vinyl
Lower the decal back onto the hull slowly, working from the hinge downward so no air is trapped ahead of the vinyl.
- 7
Squeegee
Squeegee firmly from the hinge outward in overlapping strokes, covering every character. Firm pressure is what activates the adhesive.
- 8
Remove the transfer tape
Peel the transfer tape back on itself at a sharp angle, slowly. If a character starts to lift, lay the tape back down, squeegee that spot again and continue.
- 9
Inspect
Check spacing, level and that every character is fully bonded at the edges. Leave the boat out of the water for 24 hours where practical so the adhesive can cure.
Conditions and care
- Install between roughly 50°F and 90°F. Cold vinyl is brittle and hot vinyl stretches.
- Work out of direct sun and wind where possible.
- Do not use a wet application solution with pre-spaced registration lettering — it is designed to apply dry.
- Do not pressure-wash the decals for the first week.
Where the numbers go
Placement, character height and the position of the state validation decal are set by the state your boat is registered in, and they are not identical everywhere. Check your state's requirements before you measure — some states place the validation decal ahead of the number, others behind it, and a few specify different placement on the port and starboard sides.
Need Registration Numbers for Your Boat?
Design a matched port-and-starboard set and preview it on your hull color before ordering.