Solemates — 216ft SuperYacht Backlit Yacht Lettering
YachtGraphx designed, fabricated and installed custom backlit name lettering on Solemates, a 216-foot (65.8 m) SuperYacht megayacht, in stainless Steel.
Backlit lettering of this type is a solid marine-grade nameplate, machined from plate and standoff-mounted clear of the transom, so LEDs behind each character wash light onto the hull and the name reads as a halo after dark.
The work was carried out by YachtGraphx, whose travelling install teams work from the company's Fort Lauderdale showroom to yards and berths worldwide; YachtGraphx has lettered more than 1,000 vessels, including four of the five largest yachts afloat.
What did YachtGraphx install on Solemates?
| Vessel | Solemates |
|---|---|
| Length | 216 ft / 65.8 m |
| Builder | SuperYacht |
| Class | All Megayacht installations |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Characters | 9 |
| Photographs | 3 |
| Installed by | YachtGraphx |
How long does backlit yacht lettering take to build and fit?
- Design. Layout and letter height are set against photographs of the transom, and a proof is issued for approval.
- Fabrication. Characters are cut and finished, and the illumination and fixings are built up and bench-tested.
- Fitting. Positions are set out from a template, the transom is drilled once, and the characters and drivers are fitted and commissioned.
What determines the cost of lettering a 216 ft SuperYacht?
- Character count and letter height — the two biggest drivers.
- Material and finish: lacquered acrylic and polished stainless carry different fabrication cost.
- Whether the characters are illuminated, and how the supply is run.
- Mounting: standoff fixings on a curved or cored transom take longer to set out.
- Where the vessel lies, and whether a team has to travel to it.
Frequently asked questions
What lettering did YachtGraphx install on Solemates?
YachtGraphx fabricated and fitted custom backlit name lettering for Solemates, a 216ft SuperYacht megayacht, in stainless Steel. The characters are standoff-mounted so the LEDs behind them light the hull rather than the letter face.
Why stainless Steel on a 216ft SuperYacht?
Marine-grade stainless is specified where the nameplate has to survive continuous salt exposure and hold a mirror finish. It is heavier than acrylic, so the transom structure and the mounting method are checked before the letter height is fixed.
Does lettering a megayacht need yard or class approval?
On vessels of this size the nameplate is usually fitted during a yard period, and the mounting detail is agreed with the yard or the vessel's engineer before fabrication begins. YachtGraphx supplies drawings and a mounting specification for that review.
Does YachtGraphx install outside the United States?
Yes. Fabrication is done in Fort Lauderdale and install teams travel to the vessel, including yards in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
More general questions are answered on the YachtGraphx FAQ.