What is best way to apply registration sticker to an inflatable boat

[Ryamane]

I purchased an inflatable boat (Sea eagle STS10) and a 55lb thrust trolling motor so I am required to register both in TX. I'm looking for the best way to apply the stickers to an inflatable. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[BrianMDTX]

Well, I just did exactly that to my Sea Eagle 285fpb. I was looking at peel-and-stick letters and numbers, and found a place called 1060 Graphics on Amazon that makes two simple decals for boat registration numbers. You pick the size, font and color and that’s it. Took about a week. 
 

So far they are sticking well but they haven’t been on long. And I keep the boat inflated. I’m a little more concerned about the actual TX registration decal. It’s on but it looks like it could peel off easier. I’m keeping an eye on it. 
 

See my thread “First Boat Motorized” for a pic of the install. 
 

BTW, you only need to register the boat, not the motor. And you don’t have to pay the tax as it’s an inflatable. 

[Bazoo]

I haven't any experience doing this, but I have an idea that might do...

 

Take a piece of the rubber material (patch), and sew the stickers to it, then use the rubber cement to apply the piece to the correct spot of your hull.

[Way2slow]

I've never owned an inflatable boat, but I thought they used something like a reinforced coated fabric material like some of those water tubes and stuff were made of and they didn't stretch, they only inflated.  If that's the case, I wouldn't think sticking the decals to it would be a problem.

My main concern with one would be snatching a hung lure loose and it come flying back like a rocket and bury a hook in the boat.  Don't know how many of those I had to dodge over the years, sometimes not very successfully.

 

[BrianMDTX]

I worry about gator teeth more than hooks! 

[Ryamane]

Thanks to all!

[BrianMDTX]

To add: my registration numbers are staying on perfectly. The registration decal from the state? I almost lost them lol. I covered them with Gorilla transparent tape. Still looks good and now secure. 

[WRB]

With vinyl rubber you should buff the area with 80 grit sand paper, clean with alcohol before putting on adhesive decals.

Slime vinyl glue works if the decal doesn’t have adhesive.

Tom

[Scott F]

I’ve got an inflatable and the first sticker that I used from the state cracked and broke apart when I inflated and deflated the boat a couple of times. Others have attached the sticker on a board and hung it on the side. I just kept my second one in a pouch and showed it to the CO when he requested it. He understood the issue with sticking it on the inflatable and gave me no problem because I had it and was registered.

[GRiver]

When I bought mine, the numbers were painted on, since they never change in Fl. And the state sticker was stuck on the transom, inside far left. 

[BrianMDTX]

It’s now almost November. The registration numbers are still holding good as new. Absolutely perfect. That was $$ well spent 

 

The decal? It’s on, but I still have to press down on the decal and tape every now and then. Whatever adhesive they use on the decal, and the decal material itself, is different than the numbers.