Emblem Application

[Bill Darnaby]

I have acquired Continental emblem letters for my 1955 18' Continental which the boat did not receive during its restoration. Instead of screw holes each letter has from two to four cast prongs. What is the recommended method of attachment to the hull?
Thank, Bill

[drrot]

What did the place you bought them from say?

[Bill Darnaby]

Well...no. I did not ask the seller (ebay) as my starting point was that these are legitimate Chris Craft items and the experience and knowledge of such items resided in this forum. I hope that I have not been had in purchasing these.

Thanks, Bill

[drrot]

Post a photo of the tacks on the rear.

[Bill Darnaby]

I do not have a smart phone or camera. These letters are slightly magnetic castings and are chrome plated all over. The cast prongs on the back measure 0,45 inches tall, 0.135 diameter at their base and 0,10 diameter at the rounded tip. What this conversation is telling me is that these Continental letters are not a Chris Craft standard execution. Am I wrong about that?

Thanks, Bill

[drrot]

Bill,
If they were original they would be 65 years old. At that age they would have wear marks. (I do)
Get a piece of wood thicker than the letters. Tape it to the hull where you want the letters. Set the letters on the wood and tap them with a leather or wood hammer enough to leave a ding in the hull. Drill holes slightly smaller than the prongs on back. Dip the prongs in varnish and pound the letters in.

[Bill Darnaby]

Ahhh....thank you. This makes perfect sense. Dipping the prongs in varnish is something I would not have thought of. One more question and I won't bother you anymore. The restorer of the boat used some type of adhesive letters for the Continental because, I guess, he did not have the metallic ones. In viewing the hull from both sides the Chris-Craft emblem is forward of the word Continental. In what few images I have seen of a Continental of similar vintage to mine the Chris Craft emblem precedes the Continental on both sides as in reading from left to right. Do you concur? I am debating moving the Chris-Craft emblem on the starboard side to the rear, just ahead of the three vents, so it reads left to right, Chris-Craft Continental.

[drrot]

My thought would be vents, Chris-Craft, CONTINENTAL on Starboard side as read and Chris-Craft CONTINENTAL as read on port. Search some for sale sites to see.
Also look at the old holes in the wood.

[Bill Darnaby]

Thank you very much for your assistance. Getting the letters all straight was a little trickier than I thought but they are on and the boat has been "put in" for the season. Happy boating,

Bill