A huge hit amongst sailors, beach lovers, and sea goers, boat tattoos provide luck to those in need of direction, and are often very unique pieces of art. Not only are there many different design options to choose from when it comes to boat tattoos, but there are also a lot of additional images that can be added into the design. While anchors, pirates, tidal waves, and whales are certainly the most commonly associated images, there are many others as well, including compasses, sharks, and shooting stars. In order to give you an idea of just how wonderful and unique these designs can be, we have compiled a list of 30 mind-blowing boat tattoos, sure to grab any sailors attention.
1. A Nice Colorless Boat Sleeve
A very well done arm sleeve with some birds, a compass, and a nice boat-related quote too.
2. A Meaningful Boat Leg Tattoo With Additional Imagery
Proven by the picture below, anchors, pirates, tidal waves, whales, sharks, shooting stars, and compasses aren’t the only images you can add into your boat tattoo. This one has a rather rare, yet very unique hot air balloon!
3. A Few Sinking Ships
I would certainly hate to be on those boats.
4. A Boat Steering Wheel
Commonly referred to as the helm, this circular steering wheel is usually connected to a hydraulic system. However, in some modern boats, it is said to be remote controlled.
5. A Nice Colorless, Vintage Boat
A nice colorless, vintage boat, sailing off into the night.
6. Watercolor Boat Arm Tattoo
Like most other tattoos, boats look great with watercolor.
7. Traditional Boat Upper Arm Tattoo
It is cloudy, dark, and wavy, but the sun seems to be coming out!
8. Full Boat Back Piece Tattoo
A very large ship, powering through the stormy weather.
9. Boat Helm and Anchor With Positive Quote
Proven by the picture below, ships don’t necessarily have to be in every boat tattoo.
10. A Very Well Done Pirate Ship
Pirate ships truly are as beautiful as they are intimidating, even without any color.
11. A Tipping Boat
Looks like it is ready to fall!
12. Birds and Quote Boat Tattoo
Some flying birds, and a very well known, positive boat-related quote – “sail on.”
13. Another Great Traditional Boat Tattoo
Thanks to their somewhat circular outline, traditional styled tattoos fit perfectly on the upper leg.
14. A Boat and Compass To Guide The Way
Compasses are often found alongside boats, and also somewhat metaphoric. Moreover, they fit perfectly on your hand!
15. A Grey Ink Sailboat Tattoo
Simple and grey, yet very nice.
16. A 3D Boat Tattoo With Compass
Certainly a great tattoo choice, especially if you have an entire rib cage to spare.
17. Boat With Lighthouse In The Background
Though there is very little color, the tattoo still looks great.
18. A Full Chest Piece Boat Tattoo
A very nice traditional styled chest piece boat tattoo.
19. 3D Old School Boat
This very detailed old-school boat appears to almost be sailing right out of his arm!
20. Sea Storm Boat
Another ship powering through the rough waves. Most likely in memory of someone, considering the dates at the bottom.
21. A Colorful Boat, With A Nice Little Quote
Another quote, commonly used by boaters – “hold fast.”
22. Small Sailboat
Proven by the image below, sometimes even the simplest designs look great.
23. Another Great Pirate Ship Tattoo
Colorful, bold, and very realistic.
24. Boat Tattoo, With A Portrait For Women
Another piece of additional imagery not often found in boat tattoos, helping to make this tattoo very original.
25. Boat Being Attacked By An Octopus Mid-Storm
A very neat, but rather negative boat tattoo. What a horrible situation to be in..
26. Another Great Boat Chest Piece Tattoo
Yet another great chest piece boat tattoo, accompanied this time by a rose.
27. Full Arm Sleeve Boat Tattoo
An excellent arm sleeve tattoo with a lot of additional imagery.
28. Boat In Glass With A Quote
Boats in glasses/bottles are actually one of the most commonly used boat tattoo designs. And to add some originality to this one, she even added a quote.
29. A Boat Neck Tattoo
If you can withstand the pain of getting a neck tattoo, then this would certainly be a great choice.
30. Sailor Jerry
Considering the fact that sailor jerry tattoos incorporate mainly sea related objects, it should come as no surprise that boat tattoos look great whenever they are done in that style.
Conclusion
Compiled above are 30 of the most mind-blowing boat tattoos we could find, aimed at not only showcasing some wonderful designs, but also proving the uniqueness of some tattoo artists. In addition to the incredible detail and originality that can be found in most of the above designs, there is also a lot of deep-rooted, metaphoric symbolism, such as powering through the storm and going against the current.
Whether you are a sailor yourself, or just interested in browsing through some different tattoo types, boat tattoos are certainly fun and interesting to look at.
