Above or below the rub rail?

[Geurk]

Mine is above the rub rail. We have a yellow hull and prefer the look of the reg numbers up top.

We haven't been stopped on the water due to them being on top/bottom, or being too small, or being the wrong font. Only for having our towels hanging over the bow to dry them off.

Like First Born, mine are a more aggressive font, not the usual block type letters.

 

[water rat]

Ours are below the rub rail. (same as chuck's on the Ms Judy).

 

[Fishnut]

Ours are below the rub rail. (same as chuck's on the Ms Judy).

I think Florida requires them above the rail. But I have never heard of anyone gettting stopped for such an infraction.

 

[Nehalennia]

Before

After

I never liked the Previous owners location or generic looking #'s.
I wanted them below the rubrail and more forward.

 

[Gogstad]

From MD. DNR...Does not appear to state above or below the rub rail. The illustration in the book shows them below. Mine happen to be above.


Display of Numbers and Validation Decals
The vessel number issued to a MD titled vessel must be painted on or otherwise
permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel (the bow). No other
number can be displayed near the vessel number.
Vessel numbers must be displayed as follows:
• Reading from left to right
• Plain vertical block characters 3” high or larger
• Contrasting color to the boat hull or background
• Placed as high above the waterline as practical
• Letters separated from numbers by hyphens or spaces.
The registration decal set (two 3” x 3” decals) and the 3” round dealer-issued temporary
decals must be displayed within 3” of the vessel number. Vessels must display boat
number and current decals, and have the registration card on board and available for
inspection whenever the boat is in use.

 

[Fishnut]

For what it's worth here is what the Florida FWC site says:

Registration numbers must be displayed on the forward half of the vessel on both sides above the waterline. The numbers must be bold block letters at least 3" high in a color contrasting to the hull.
The vessel registration decal must be renewed annually and is to be displayed within six (6) inches of, either before or after, the registration numbers on the port (left) side.

 

[Odayssea]

In addition to the 3" block letters, most states require contrasting colors which is difficult with a pewter colored hull.

 

[Bridog]

Ours is below the rub rail.

 

[matthewmiller01]

In addition to the 3" block letters, most states require contrasting colors which is difficult with a pewter colored hull.

I was just going to go with the basic black.

 

[texasrider]

Mine are above the rail and very far forward. Too far forward, IMO, but they were like that when I bought it and the authorities haven't said anything about it yet.

 

[uraldyx]

Ohio gives the type (block) and size (at least 3") of numbers and gives examples of where they go, with the exception of saying above or below. I did not look at this prior to replacing the letters on mine, rookie mistake. I have not been stopped yet, but have only had it out once since making the change. Anyone think I will run into an issue? They are still legible, but wondering if I should think of changing them back to the original block letters.

 

[ruf1967]

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

I ran the same style letters uraldyx on a previous boat and never got stopped. Not to say that "Technically" you are not in compliance but those letters are very readable. But the Georgia Game and Fish guys are looking for drunks and that illegal bass and all the trips to Florida with my boat no one gave me a second glance. But you never know when you meet john freakin wayne want to be. :smt021

 

[ehaze]

i WISH we didn't have to put these numbers on the boat!

/edit

i vote below...

 

[5sman]

Below on ours as well

 

[ruf1967]

I agree the letters on my boat are not "block" letters but the statute does not specifically define what block lettering is. I haven't been stopped in this boat and probably never will. My old boat had block lettering and I was boarded for a safety inspection, once.

This is the Texas statute:


Display of Your Number

• The number must be painted on, or otherwise attached to each side of the vessel, near the bow, in such position as to provide easy identification.
• The number shall read from left to right, be in block characters of good proportion not less than three inches in height and be of a color that contrasts with the background.
• The numerals must be separated from the prefix and the suffix by hyphens or equivalent spaces such as the following example: TX 0123 AB and TX-0123-AB.
• The validation decal must be affixed in a line with and three (3) inches towards the rear of the boat from the registration number.