We’ve been checking a couple of items off our “to do list” over the past couple of weeks. One thing that Cindy has wanted since we brought the boat up from Ft. Lauderdale is to enlarge the lettering of Beatitude’s name along each hull. We paid $500.00+ to the folks in Ft. Lauderdale to place “Beatitude” on the hulls. We really had no idea how to advise them or how large to make the lettering (we were in Lakeland and not on-site at the time). Unfortunately, the size they chose was way too small and barely visible from even a short distance away.

Cindy sitting on the port bow ready to assist me (in the dinghy taking the photo). The old “Beatitude” is below.

Using the blow dryer to soften the adhesive on the back of the old lettering to make it easier to remove from the gelcoat.

Our nameless boat

Cindy removing the old lettering from the starboard hull.

Well, while Cindy was recently in Ohio, I hopped in our dinghy and measured for new lettering. It came in a few days ago. Yesterday, we removed the old lettering, and today we placed the new. Doing it ourselves cost only $175.00! We both agree that it is much more appropriately-sized and beautiful. We bought the lettering from Boat US, whose pricing and service was great. The instructions were straightforward, and we even found Boat US YouTube videos on how to remove the old lettering and place the new.

Cindy in the dinghy with the new lettering taped in place, prior to removing the backing

Squeegeeing the newly applied lettering to remove air bubbles

Applying masking tape to the center of the new lettering in preparation to remove the backing.

Pulling off the backing, revealing the new lettering

The new lettering on the port hull

The new lettering on the starboard hull

After putting up the nearly eight feet-long and seventeen inch-high “Beatitude” on each hull, we celebrated with a trip to Siesta Key Beach to enjoy the sunshine, the cool, white sand, and the warm turquoise water. An added and unexpected bonus was the privilege to swim with a herd of about six manatees on the sand bar off Siesta Key Beach. We were within about ten feet of the herd, which, according to the lifeguard, consisted of a female in heat and a group of males keeping her company.

Cindy standing in the park across from the marina. Beatitude, with new lettering, in background.

One of the manatees surfacing for a breath near swimmers.

Relaxing in the sun.