If you want a shirt with your exact boat on it, the order process is straightforward. Here's exactly how it works from clicking the product page to having the shirt in your hands, including the small details that affect how good the final drawing looks.
The Four-Step Process at a Glance
- Pick your shirt style. Choose between T-shirt, long sleeve, sweatshirt, or hoodie. Each comes in multiple colors.
- Enter your boat's details. Make and model are required. Optional: boat name (printed on the chest) and year.
- We draft the technical drawing. Our team renders your specific vessel from real marine engineering references.
- We print and ship. Made to order in the USA. Ships in 5 to 7 business days.
That's the high-level flow. The rest of this guide walks through each step in detail with the small considerations that make a difference.
Step 1: Pick Your Shirt Style
We offer four formats. The design is the same across all of them: a clean profile of your boat on the upper-left chest, and a full-scale detailed drawing across the entire back.
- T-Shirt ($29.99) – Soft combed and ring-spun cotton, true-to-size US men's sizing in S through 2XL. Best for warm weather and daily wear.
- Long Sleeve ($39.99) – Same fabric as the T-shirt with full sleeves. Best for spring, fall, and sailing in cooler weather.
- Sweatshirt ($54.99) – Heavyweight fleece, classic crew-neck cut. Best for boat days when it's actually cold.
- Hoodie ($64.99) – Heavyweight fleece with a kangaroo pocket. Best for layering or as the primary outer piece on cool-weather days.
Color options vary by product but always include black, navy, white, heather grey, and natural. The drawing is rendered to print cleanly on each color (some sites only optimize for white shirts, which leads to legibility issues on dark colors; we render each design twice, once for light backgrounds and once for dark).
Step 2: Enter Your Boat's Details
This is the most important step, because what you enter here determines what your shirt looks like. The personalization field appears on every custom product page.
Required: make and model. Be specific. "Boston Whaler Montauk 170" is better than "Boston Whaler." "Sea Ray Sundancer 320" is better than "Sea Ray." If your model has a year-range distinction that matters to its design (for instance, the Whaler Montauk 170 was redesigned in the 2000s), include the year.
Optional: boat name. If you want your boat's name printed on the chest below the profile drawing, enter it in the boat name field. Keep it under 30 characters. We use your existing font and styling conventions if you tell us about them; otherwise we use the brand's standard chest-print typography.
Optional: a reference image. If your boat is rare, vintage, or has custom modifications, attach a side-profile photo. Helpful but not required for common production models.
What if my boat isn't in the catalog?
Almost every order goes through the custom listing rather than a catalog model, so this is the normal path. Our catalog of 20+ designs is a starting point and a proof of fidelity. The custom listing handles everything else: center consoles, sport cruisers, bay boats, wakeboats, bass boats, sportfish, runabouts, vintage models, and one-off builds.
What if I don't know my exact model?
Two options:
- Check the hull identification number (HIN) on the transom or starboard side of the hull, which encodes the manufacturer and often the model.
- Check the boat's registration paperwork, which lists make and model exactly as the manufacturer records it.
If you still can't find it, email us with whatever you know (a photo, the year, the approximate length) and we'll help identify it.
Step 3: We Draft the Technical Drawing
After you order, our team creates the drawing of your specific vessel. We work from real marine engineering references, manufacturer specifications, and (for rare boats) the reference image you provided.
The output is a detailed line drawing capturing:
- Hull form – Bow profile, sheer line, transom shape, deadrise where visible.
- Deck layout – Console position (center, side, or cabin), bow design (open, walkaround, cuddy), seating, T-top if equipped.
- Rigging and accessories – Outriggers, hardtops, towers, livewells where they're a defining feature.
- Proportions – Length-to-beam ratio, freeboard, and stance so the boat reads correctly to anyone familiar with the model.
We don't include your boat's name as part of the drawing review process. If you provided a name in step 2, it's added during the print step.
How long does drafting take?
Drafting fits within the 5 to 7 business day production window. We don't show drafts before printing for standard orders (it would slow production), but we do quality-check every drawing before it goes to the print queue. If something is unclear about your boat (especially for rare models), we'll email you before producing the design.
Step 4: We Print and Ship
Once your drawing is finalized, it goes to print. The print process bonds the design with the fabric for a soft, durable feel that survives washing. No cracking, no peeling.
From order to delivery:
- Production: 3 to 4 business days from order placement.
- Shipping: 2 to 3 business days within the continental US via standard. Expedited options at checkout.
- International: 5 to 14 business days depending on destination.
You'll get a tracking number by email once the shirt ships.
Care Instructions
To make the print last as long as the shirt:
- Wash inside-out in cold water.
- Tumble dry low or hang dry.
- Skip the iron over the print area.
- Don't bleach.
With normal wear, the print stays sharp through hundreds of wash cycles.
Sizing Notes
All our sizes run true to standard US men's sizing. The fabric is pre-shrunk, so the size you order is the size you get after the first wash. Most customers wear the same size they wear in Vineyard Vines or Patagonia tees. If you're between sizes, size up for a relaxed fit or stick with your usual for a fitted look.
See the size chart for measurements.
Gifting a Custom Shirt
If you're ordering for someone else, a few tips:
- Confirm the make and model if you're not 100% sure. The recipient appreciates the gesture more if the drawing matches their actual boat.
- Pick the right size by checking another shirt in their closet rather than guessing. Our exchange policy covers size mistakes within 30 days.
- Optional boat name on the chest is a thoughtful touch that personalizes the shirt beyond just the model.
- Plan ahead. 5 to 7 business days to ship plus 2 to 3 business days to deliver means roughly two weeks for a non-rushed order. For deadline-driven gifts (Father's Day, birthday), order 2 to 3 weeks early or use expedited shipping.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Guessing the model. "Some kind of Boston Whaler" produces a generic Whaler drawing, not your actual boat. Check the registration if you're unsure.
- Wrong year for facelift models. Many models get redesigned partway through their production run. A 1997 Montauk and a 2015 Montauk are visually different boats. Include the year if you can.
- Skipping the personalization field. If the field is blank, we can't draft your boat. Always confirm before completing checkout.
- Ordering for an event without buffer. Made-to-order means we can't skip production. Build in 2 to 3 weeks of lead time.
Ready to Order?
Start with the format that fits your wardrobe:
- Custom T-shirt – $29.99
- Custom long sleeve – $39.99
- Custom sweatshirt – $54.99
- Custom hoodie – $64.99
Questions before you order? Contact us or check the FAQ.