Image Monster Produces the World's Biggest Boat-Art Wrap

Wilmington, NC, December 03, 2009 --(PR.com)-- “I believe it is the largest boat wrap ever,” said Image Monster owner Jed McDonough as he surveyed the QuadZeus, a 60-foot power sportsfish boat at its berth in Charleston, S.C. Image Monster, a Wilmington, NC, large format print shop and graphic design studio, “wrapped” the boat in a custom design by graphic designer Zach Shaeffer, who utilized original drawings of a blue marlin and mahi-mahis by renowned Wilmington marine artist Steve Goione.

“It was a sensation; C&M could not be happier—the boat got tremendous exposure. Everyone was talking about it,” says Clay Gaillard, public relations manager, of Cummins MerCruiser Diesel, one of the country’s leading marine propulsion companies and the owner of the vessel. Gaillard’s comment refers to the exposure QuadZeus received at the recent Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, one of the country’s largest. The QuadZeus wrapped from bow to stern in a cast vinyl participated in the boat show and it turned heads wherever it went. The QuadZeus is a 60-foot convertible, powered by four Cummins MerCruiser Diesel QSC8.3-liter 600-hp engine/pod units, giving it joystick maneuverability and outstanding speed and range. The boat was on display Oct. 29 though Nov. 1 at the Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in conjunction with the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. It was hard to miss with its bright colors and dramatic fish drawings by Goione.

Gaillard says he got the idea to wrap the boat while attending Mercury boat races where smaller vessels are painted with designs. He then approached Goione in Wilmington about his idea, and Goione suggested a collaboration with Image Monster.

The boat-wrap is an unusual take on the more common vehicle-wrap. Vehicle-wraps, with which Image Monster has a great deal of experience, are a cost-effective way to advertise. A company’s car, truck, or fleet of cars or tucks become in effect “moving billboards.” Image Monster offers a wide range of car, van, truck, trailer and fleet wraps.

Shaeffer took the drawings of the game fish from Goione and proceeded to create a layout or scene that would be appropriate for the boat. He then made a computerized template of the scene. To get the right measures, the boat itself was carefully measured and photographed. To assure correct proportions Shaeffer used a five-foot version of the same boat. The design phase took about a month to a month and a half to complete. Once the template was approved Image Monster printed the design on cast vinyl sheets measuring 54” by 150’.

The panels were then taken to Charleston, where the boat is docked. According to McDonough, it took three men three days to “wrap” the boat. The boat is covered with large stylized designs of two Blue Marlins (one on each side) chasing four Mahi-Mahis (two on each side). The Blue Marlin actually starts on the hull of the boat with its tail fins extending up the side of the boat’s cabin, making for a very dramatic effect. Shaeffer explains that the cast vinyl is resistant to water. In addition, he says an extra sealer was used to minimize water damage. Even if the water should affect the vinyl, Shaeffer said that since the company keeps a digital version of the design it is no problem to reproduce it to make any necessary repairs.

Image Monster is a Wilmington-based large format digital print shop and a fully functioning graphic design studio. The business is housed in a 4,000 square foot retail facility that boasts one of the largest photo-quality printers on the East Coast. The New Centre Drive retail location is complemented by an installation facility available for larger jobs. The company takes pride in helping small businesses gain maximum exposure by utilizing better and newer technologies and by developing cutting-edge marketing concepts for all price ranges. Image Monster’s services include intensive graphic design, full vehicle wraps, fine art reproductions, and a variety of trade show graphics.

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