T O Y O T A -- Plastic Letters Upgrade (V-Drive)

[boneil]

I have always disliked the plastic letters on my aft middle seat.  Seems a lettter falls off every year and I have to glue it back on. 

I've pulled the seat and worked out an embrodiery upgrade with someone that has the necessary equipment / knowledge.  I was planning to go with the following graphic keeping the exact same spacing with the plastic TOYOTA lettering (in gray color).  I would add the toyota graphic (same gray color) and a "Powered by Lexus" with graphic (Black Color)


However, I have kept the boat as close to factory appearance as possible.  Just checking to see if anyone here is passionate about keeping the current factory TOYOTA lettering in grey or going with a new an improved version.  At least what I think is much improved.... either way I'm going to stich on the letters with high grade thread that should last longer than the original vinyl

I took pics and will post up how to I did this when I'm done.  Any advice is appreciated. 

Tnx,
Brian

[wakejunky]

my 2 cents-

i like the idea of putting something new and updated there. Especially if its embroidered. The "TOYOTA" always has seemed a little out of place or lonesome to me. I personally don't like mixing two brand names so close together. maybe an "EPIC S22". you could do all or part of it in red to match your gelcoat. Possibly even use a more aggressive font or something. what ever you decide i would test it with a paper pattern several times. once you do it there is no going back. at least without new vinyl.

i hear ya on worrying about moving away from the factory look. I have gone back and forth with the idea of updating my boats gelcoat and graphic to something more 08 or 09. I hate how my boat looks dated yet it is in mint condition. I worry that "if" and that's a big if i want to sell it that the people who might be interested in our boats like the idea of a "factory look" and it would be more difficult to sell. After working for Toyota/Lexus Ive noticed some owners are VERY particular about a factory look and tend to shy away from modified vehicles.

[cyclone]

The older I get the more I like factory rather than "boy racer" That having been said, the Toyota letters on the seats definitely suck azz. Every time a crumb cruncher gets on my boat, he peels one off.

[flyn2001]

I think it will look sharp.  Don't go overboard and make it hot pink or anything.  Less is more.  People like factory, but this is really just a factory upgrade.

4" exhaust, cold air intake, turbo timer, intercooler, etc....   = upgrades you will want to refrain from!!  haha.

Post pix after completion, I bet it looks kick a$$.

wakejunky- I thought it was funny, you said "I personally don't like mixing two brand names so close together" and then wrote that you work for "Toyota/Lexus".  haha. 

may break down and winterize the ol' yota tomorrow.  Take care gents.

[blindside]

I too am also glueing my letters back on each year.  Embroided would be saweet. I have 1 letter off right now. I am going to use aquaseal drysuit repair glue this time and hope it is the last time.

[lakerats247]

You guys are killing me. I miss my SX. Once I become independently wealthy and take over the world I'm moving you all to Austin and getting an Epic in every color.

;-)

[cyclone]

I could definitely contribute by helping keep Austin weird;)

[toyotafreak]

That cushion with those letters is one of my favorite parts of the boat. Just to look back in the rear view and see it shining...

I do have a letter off and it gives me great grief.

[cyclone]

DEREK!! where you been? I thought you mighta sold your boat and bought a pontoon or something. Glad to hear from you

[toyotafreak]

Things are tough but holding onto her with both hands. Took her out only once last year and realized the tires HAD to be replaced about the same time boat insurance and home property tax were due, gas was making its crazy climb, and we were flush out of $$$. So, I've run her a few times on the hose, replaced the tarps a couple times, dusted ash off her. Look at her every night when pulling into the driveway. Every once in a while stick my nose under the canvas and it takes me away.

The oldest (11) is still in club baseball, which we could have scrapped and may well have paid for all of the above plus a couple short trips to Havasu. Eight times out of ten he would probably choose wakeboarding. Bought $1100 in bicycles for the kids this year too. Our big Christmas present is Disney passes again. It's one of those things where when you get down to it, as much as the lake is magical and perfect for the family and everything you could ask for in a vacation, it's still only a few times a year unless you're loaded and can afford $600 weekends; when it came time to choose...we bought more tarps and started going to the beach again.

The good news is the market is so ugly we probably couldn't get much for her anyway. This is a good thing and will hopefully keep her in the freezer until we're ready to get back out. Would be harder if we were sitting on a gold mine, right? I might consider selling a kidney if that means I can keep the Toyota. The boat cover is getting nasty but I'm amazed at how perfect she still looks after all these years.

I remember the sunny late winter day when we put her in. Brandon and I, our lefty closer and his dad (Sooner fan since we've known him). Had been probably four or five months or so since the last trip. Water's totally calm, nobody's out, sun's warm and it's total short sleeve weather. I got past the bouys, eased into the throttle and as the nose slowly came over the top and settled, wind on my face, sound of the spray a few feet overboard, quiet hum of the Lex...dude, what a huge smile. Still have it, actually.

Wife says she's going to the river next year with or without me, so I'm pretty sure we'll find a way to git 'er done in oh nine.

Good to see you're doing well. The VillageIdiot is even back with us!!!!! You've done a great thing Pete and Les keeping Epicmarine up since '03!

[phenom_1819]

Heck yes I am...!  Hi Derek.