Setting up a boating business

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thanks Pete,

main issue is due to painted hull, I wouldn't dare glue the letters as removing them will mostlikely damage the paintwork and I'm not keen on masking elaborate forms when respraying. Will probably check the drill and bolt through option but I'm worried that the mig/tig whatever welding will leave a mark on the front of the polished letter. Anyone got some experience on that?

Vas, if you want to weld fitting pegs to the back then you need 3mm gauge to stop them showing through. As MapisM say, you'd be better off with adhesive tape.

I
I would be very interested in a couple of Rafiki's to fit either side of the Flybridge. She already has stainless lettering on the transom.

Cool, see below!

V V nice indeed, makes me considering to have one done for the old lady.
She always had a very basic blue label, which I thought was consistent with the un-flashy overall look of the vessel.
But I'm sure she wouldn't mind a small flashy touch.... :D

@ Pete: what sort of input is necessary, would the computer font be enough?
@ Vas: I see what you mean, and I would be in the same boots. Otoh, in my experience the hull/superstructure paint, if well done, lasts at least 6 if not 8 years.
In the grand scheme, I don't think it would be a big deal to re-touch a few parts under the name, after each repaint.

1) The computer font is the start. Need to avoid textured fronts, ones with shadow effects and ones with hairline elements. If you want me to match an existing unknown font then send a picture and I'll see what I can do.
2) The height of the font will determine the size of he letters. But I also need to know the total width of the name to check that the letters will fit the available space. If a wider name is required then the spacing between the letters can be increased (this won't affect the cutting of the letters but will affect the creation of the template).
3) Thickness / gauge, choices run from 1mm to 3mm in 0.5mm increments.
4) Edge polishing - the cutting process may result in slightly rough edges. This isn't noticeable on 1mm gauges, is slightly noticeable on 2mm gauges and will definitely be noticable on 3mm. Edge polishing can be added to eradicate this. If the edges will be apparent (perhaps as might be the case when mounted on a transom), then for 2mm this is advisable. Note that I'll provide costs with and without edge polishing.
5) Choice of finishes are mirror chrome or brushed.

Simple!
 
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Pete did you get the PM I sent in reply to yours? Add me to the list of people interested in unbreakable wine glasses.
 
Thanks Piers, very helpful. Clearly you and Toby have a great business there.

He certainly seems to have the upper hand in the setup.
Note he said he's just spent 3 days servicing his engines, so clearly means he has buckets of times of his hands. Yet I'm the poor mug flying around all over the place enabling him to have loads of free time on his hands!! Perhaps a renegotiation needs to occur...

*ends thread drift*

I agree with everything I'm reading in this thread and learning a couple of new things along the way. It is virtually impossible to run a side-project business in todays climate. Age old adage, if it were easy, everyone would do it.
But if you're able to add your own creative edge to the product via customised design or graphics. Then you're got some starting blocks.

My piece of advice is get to know business owners who deal with the end-users. This typically is lower margin work as you have to offer them a slice of the cake, but there will be substantially less load on your time. If you get on well with said dealers, they will want to sell / promote your products for you. So maybe a mixture of visiting METS for new product ideas, and then visiting SeaWorks (it's on next Monday, 16 - 18th, so if you're around do come and say Hi. Got a mini-fridge this year PACKED with softdrinks!) and SIBS & LIBS to see if you can find people to punt your product for you?

I wish you the very best of luck in setting up your own business. I, for one, love what I do.
 
We are in the market for some high quality wine glasses and whisky tumblers etc. quality is more important than price
We have never found anything that really ticks the box.....agree with JFM.....def a market here for unbreakabke stuff

If you source some.....could you let me know?



Thanks
Add me to the list please Pete
 
Perhaps you could combine your stainless lettering with Jimmy's thoughts below

Backlit boat names. If you can find a way to do this for a few hundred quid instead of a couple of grand, you could do well. It's a subject that comes up here fairly regularly, which suggests to me that there's a bit of demand out there.

This approach doesn't strike me as too difficult to achieve
http://www.techstainless.com/LED-Illuminated-Lettering
 
Perhaps you could combine your stainless lettering with Jimmy's thoughts below

This approach doesn't strike me as too difficult to achieve
http://www.techstainless.com/LED-Illuminated-Lettering

Its a case of not trying to run before I can walk. Also, some of the suppliers I've been talking too have withdrawn from supplying back-lit signs due to the difficulty in getting it right. But its certainly a natural progression.
 
Its a case of not trying to run before I can walk. Also, some of the suppliers I've been talking too have withdrawn from supplying back-lit signs due to the difficulty in getting it right. But its certainly a natural progression.

A friend of mine was with me recently at the Swanick boat show. I made an enquiry for backlit stainless steel lettering and was quoted over £3000.

My mate works for a sign company and told me afterwards that even through his business my 15 letters would have been less than £600 inc vat
 
A friend of mine was with me recently at the Swanick boat show. I made an enquiry for backlit stainless steel lettering and was quoted over £3000.

My mate works for a sign company and told me afterwards that even through his business my 15 letters would have been less than £600 inc vat

Well, there's certainly some profit in that!
 
H
Vas, if you want to weld fitting pegs to the back then you need 3mm gauge to stop them showing through. As MapisM say, you'd be better off with adhesive tape.



Cool, see below!



1) The computer font is the start. Need to avoid textured fronts, ones with shadow effects and ones with hairline elements. If you want me to match an existing unknown font then send a picture and I'll see what I can do.
2) The height of the font will determine the size of he letters. But I also need to know the total width of the name to check that the letters will fit the available space. If a wider name is required then the spacing between the letters can be increased (this won't affect the cutting of the letters but will affect the creation of the template).
3) Thickness / gauge, choices run from 1mm to 3mm in 0.5mm increments.
4) Edge polishing - the cutting process may result in slightly rough edges. This isn't noticeable on 1mm gauges, is slightly noticeable on 2mm gauges and will definitely be noticable on 3mm. Edge polishing can be added to eradicate this. If the edges will be apparent (perhaps as might be the case when mounted on a transom), then for 2mm this is advisable. Note that I'll provide costs with and without edge polishing.
5) Choice of finishes are mirror chrome or brushed.

Simple!
Ok, wil get a pic of the transom.
 
This is timely... we were away last week and I realised that both sets of 'PRESTIGE 34' lettering is not just in need of a polish but is absolutely shot. I have previously had a quote from Jeanneau and thought 'No'.. plus it just looks like chromed plastic. Can I send over photos and sizes? Happy to provide pictures of end result and testimonial....
 
This is timely... we were away last week and I realised that both sets of 'PRESTIGE 34' lettering is not just in need of a polish but is absolutely shot. I have previously had a quote from Jeanneau and thought 'No'.. plus it just looks like chromed plastic. Can I send over photos and sizes? Happy to provide pictures of end result and testimonial....

Yes, please send pics and measurements if possible. Will PM you my email address.
 
He certainly seems to have the upper hand in the setup.
Note he said he's just spent 3 days servicing his engines, so clearly means he has buckets of times of his hands. Yet I'm the poor mug flying around all over the place enabling him to have loads of free time on his hands!! Perhaps a renegotiation needs to occur...

*ends thread drift*

I agree with everything I'm reading in this thread and learning a couple of new things along the way. It is virtually impossible to run a side-project business in todays climate. Age old adage, if it were easy, everyone would do it.
But if you're able to add your own creative edge to the product via customised design or graphics. Then you're got some starting blocks.

My piece of advice is get to know business owners who deal with the end-users. This typically is lower margin work as you have to offer them a slice of the cake, but there will be substantially less load on your time. If you get on well with said dealers, they will want to sell / promote your products for you. So maybe a mixture of visiting METS for new product ideas, and then visiting SeaWorks (it's on next Monday, 16 - 18th, so if you're around do come and say Hi. Got a mini-fridge this year PACKED with softdrinks!) and SIBS & LIBS to see if you can find people to punt your product for you?

I wish you the very best of luck in setting up your own business. I, for one, love what I do.

Hi Toby,

Thanks, that's more excellent advice. Will definitely try and get to METS and hope to be contacting end suppliers over the summer.

Pete
 
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OK, next decision is what to call this boating venture. These were some names that I came up with:

"F3Marine" ('Fat Free' but worried this is too much like F4 Swindlery and too forgettable)
"BoatMods.co.uk" (or YachtMods)
"BespokeMarine.co.uk"
"VectorMarine" (not keen as sounds like something from the apprentice)

I also liked "UrbanMarine" because it sounded cool, but is a bit random.

JTB suggested "Mansion Marine" (my surname) then suggested "Overbeck Marine" based on the name of my favourite country house (a bit like your 'pornstar' name game I think)! Or I suppose we could have "Cotswold Marine" but that's just weird innit?

Any thoughts?
 
3D MARINE
Boat names that stand out

I will be interested later on, too much going on at moment.
Is Chatham too far away ?

Excellent - you got me excited then but sadly someone has beaten me to it - http://www.3dmarine.co.uk/.

Distance no object as its all mail order (you have to self fit or get someone to do it for you). Easy to do though, see James' example above.
 
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