Charlie Duane's boat lettering & graphics website gives you the guidelines for classic yacht lettering.
Self-starters can save money by adhering to traditional principles shown here, and high-end customers can get a head start in specifying custom work. Whether you want pre-spaced stick-on letters that you install yourself, or if you want a sophisticated graphic design on a reasonable budget, you can acquire essential information by reading Charlie Duane's online "book" right here.

You'll see layouts for everyday boats and supergraphics for racing boats, including four America's Cup boats. Examples include hand-painting, vinyl graphics, and spray masks.