Sail Numbers, or no sail numbers?

Ok, so I cleaned the new (old) sails. They need some batten pocket repairs, but I got out all the dirt and rust stains and the fading isn't bad at all- they actually look pretty darn good!!!

I got most/or all of the number residue off and what remains is either a little bit of residue or, more likely, unfaded areas of the sail.

So, since the current number font is different than what was on my sails, what should I do?

a) Just leave it like it is with the one remaining original digit (#2) (not my inclination)

b) Remove the remaining digit and go with no numbers?

c) Remove the remaining digit and put on a new set of numbers- the same numbers as my other set of sails (89057).

d) Remove the remaining digit and put on a new set of numbers- the original numbers that were on this sail (27075)?

To me the main ramifications are appearance- faint number shadows on the sail and or new numbers partially camouflaging the old number shadows; and possible HCA, whatever they might be (I'm sure you must have sail numbers to race).

Your thoughts and recommendations, please, gentlemen . . . . .


Picture taken before cleaning:

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

I like the single digit for your sail number. If you want to conceal the adhesive or fading, how about you trace and cut out the original numbers from adhesive backed vinyl to retain the font? Hobie doesn't have a requirement for the sail number other than the presence of something for race identification purposes.

can you take a picture of the number on your sail, take it to a sign shop ans get the same font and replace the numbers?

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

This evening I removed the #2 and worked on the adhesive residue some more with acetone and denatured alcohol. I will need to hoist it up in the daylight/sun to see how it looks then I will probably buy new numbers from Hobie.

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

Just recently I saw a post (I think from one of the Matt's) that said that Hobie does not have old-style numbers and hasn't for decades.

Brad's idea probably is the easiest. Some sign shops also advertise on ebay for their vinyl stick-on's.

I finished cleaning the sails, removed the #2, and worked some more on the adhesive residue. All the dirt and rust stains are gone and it looks pretty good.

Here are some pics showing how much of the number locations are still visible. After another summer of fading in the sun and once the boat is away from shore and with a new set of numbers, hopefully it won't be so objectionable.




Close-up of the number location:

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

I think it looks good without the sail numbers. The numbers are used to identify boats in a race (by the way, while on a committee boat for a race with about 50 boats, it was a drag calling out the sail numbers at the finish line when there were 6 digits in the sail number), but recreationally they don't serve much purpose, so you can do anything you like - no number/new number/any number of digits/funky font/disco colors, etc.

How about a vinyl stick-on Sponge Bob?



Hmmm, on second thought, NOT!!

I have a few months to think about what I want to do. One consideration- I went to the Hobie catalog and noticed their numbers are $7.40 apiece- that would be $74 for both sides!!!!

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

I still hadn't decided about numbers or not, but I stopped in at a local sign shop to see what they could do. They will cut any style, size, and color numbers I want. Also, the numbers will be cut from a single sheet of vinyl which will make them easier to align and apply. The cost- less than half of what it would cost to buy the numbers from Hobie. So it looks like I will eventually put numbers back on the sails- now I need to decide whether to go with the same numbers as on my other sails or the numbers that were on the sails originally.

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

I've got the exact same sails. Sail 43663. The same thing happened to me. The numbers were gone. Cosidering these sails are from the late 70's there is no way the numbers will ever fade as much as the rest of the sails. Lucky for me I worked for an Exhibit House and we had our own vinyl that I applied to the sail last summer. Seems to work fine for now.

_________________
Division 10, Fleet 185
Hobie 17 and Hobie 14

Vinyl typically comes in long rolls and its put through a plotter. If its done properly it will be prvoided to you pre-masked in one piece. Very simple process. If its your first time applying vinyl you'll want an extra pair of hands to help you through it. Vinyl is extremely inexpensive. It shouldn't cost you anymore than $30 if you are applying it yourself.

_________________
Division 10, Fleet 185
Hobie 17 and Hobie 14

Did you use the same number as previously, or go with a new one? If different numbers, do the new numbers mask enough of the old numbers so they are barely noticable?

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

I did use the same numbers however they weren't the exact smae font. Some of the old numbering does bleed over but its not ttoo noticable. If you used completely different numbers I think it would be quite visiible.

_________________
Division 10, Fleet 185
Hobie 17 and Hobie 14