I have no idea. They are my sails and my hulls, and I don't think anybody should have the right to tell me I can't put the name of my company on my boat or paint my sails pink with yellow polka dots. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The only possible limiting factor should be whether the advertising is in good taste. (Although, even the oldtime sailing ships had naked women out on their prows. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

Is the problem that other sailors think the sailors with advertising on their sails are better sailors, or "professional" just because it appears they are being sponsored by businesses?

So what? That has nothing to do with their sailing ability. As I said before, it just shows that they are better salesmen. And besides, the more stuff they stick on their sails, the heavier their sails and the more it slows them down. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sails are natural billboards, and we ought to use them to help defray our costs of sailing -- or at least to promote our own businesses. We put advertising on our cars, so why not on our boats?

What if I decided to put bumper stickers on my sail and hulls from every state and every park and every resort or restaurant or country I have ever sailed at -- would that be illegal, too? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

What if I put advertising tattoos (temporary, I hope) on my body where they can be seen? Would that be illegal?