Quick-drying towels are everyone’s favorite on a boat. Over the years, I’ve gotten quite a few inquiries asking if I had a source for boat-friendly towels that could be personalized with either the boat name or a person’s name. And, regrettably, I never did. I knew where to get thick terry towels embroidered, but they’re not very boat-friendly as they take up a lot of space, take forever to dry and get stinky way too fast.
Then in January, I got a note out of the blue from TaLii Towels . . . it turned out to be that a customer of theirs had mis-remembered where they’d heard of the towels, but it made for a great exchanging of “who are you?” info. In short, they sell really nice microfiber towels that they can personalize with traditional embroidery or a laser process. Here’s pictures of the lasered towels:
Lisa, the owner, was so kind as to send me two of their HUGE bath sheets for review, one with our boat name and one with The Boat Galley’s logo. I was astounded at how perfectly the laser could do TBG’s logo! (In a follow-up conversation, she told me they’ve even done one from a photo of a woman’s tattoo!)
And yes, having my towel “marked” has already been good. When I left it in the marina shower one day (my face is a little red to admit this), the person who found it got in touch with me immediately instead of just tossing it in a lost-and-found box.
To be perfectly clear, these are really nice microfiber towels, a little thicker (and hence nicer) than other ones we’ve had but still fast-drying, non-stinky and compact when folded. And at 71 inches by 35 inches, the bath sheet is really beach towel size (and sand just shakes off the microfiber as opposed to sticking in terry cloth). These are seriously great towels — the combination of folding up into a small size and being fast drying while being large enough to cover you (or lie on at the beach) and good for drying off makes them a great boat (or travel) towel even without the personalization options. The lasering is a bonus!
The towels come in seven sizes and 21 colors — including a pet towel!
If you want a custom logo or font on your towel, Lisa told me how to order it:
- Select the towel(s) you want and put them in the cart.
- Add the laser option.
- Put the name of your boat of whatever else you want lasered on the form. Put a note in the comments section that you are going to email a logo or other art.
- Send your design with a note explaining exactly what you want to Lisa. If they have any questions, they’ll contact you.
Here’s your “Quick Start” to everything you need to know when living on a boat:
Anonymous says
Debbie Jackson
Anonymous says
How would you compare these to the Turkish towels which we love
The Boat Galley says
Somewhat different texture. About the same small size and drying time. Turkish towels are perhaps a bit more luxurious; these can do the laser embroidery. I really like both!
Gena Olson says
I bought Tali towels this year. Love the look. To me, it takes a little to get used to the feel. Instead of scrubbing across your skin, they work better to roll them. Work great, look great. They have the best customer service ! We are cruising around the loop and had them shipped to a marina, to the address they gave. UPS tried to deliver, but the office closed every day before UPS got there. So frustrating. We didn’t want them to be shipped back, since they are in Canada (think Customs delays). I couldn’t seem to reach a human in the local UPS office. But, the woman at Tali did, and managed to get them to us-!
Highly recommend.
Gena Olson
Lisa IAfrate says
Hi Carolyn , thanks for the shout out.
Yup , we’re here at the West Palm Boat show.
They switched management and our booth number ( without notice) , so we’re incorrectly listed on the directory. We’re in the main air conditioned tent booth 516
I wanted to add that TaLiitowels are also antibacterial so they don’t smell
We’re in 21 colors too.
The personalization we did on your towels shown above is a laser application. It’s crisp
You mentioned embroidery. That’s a machine with thread. So there’s no confusion let’s explain:
Laser is burning through a layer of the fibers to leave behind a crisp permanent image
Embroidery is stitched on , with a necessary piece of interfacing on the back. We’re not doing much embroidery now with the much preferred laser application.
Send us an image of the back of your boat with you’re logo and we’ll try to find the matching font and image if you don’t have artwork.
Thanks again
Happy Sailing
Xoxo
Lisa and the entire TaLiitowel Team
Bruce Balan says
Be aware that microfibers are a huge environmental problem that is only now starting to be recognized. You can learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqkekY5t7KY
Kat Mein says
Microfiber (and fleece) are a HUGE source of microplastics in our environment. Every time you wash these fabrics, you’re releasing microplastics into the ecosystem. You are a big influencer in the boating space– so please don’t encourge the polution of our seas! Thanks!
Carolyn Shearlock says
As I understand it, there is a great deal of research going on in this area. Considering that most of these products are made from post-consumer recycling (particularly soda and water bottles), there’s also a benefit to the environment. I’m not in a position to say what the net effect is, although there are clearly major problems with low-quality microfiber products that disintegrate quickly. Patagonia is one of the companies doing a lot of research in this area and they are known for their commitment to the environment. I’m watching their research to learn more: https://www.patagonia.com/blog/2017/02/an-update-on-microfiber-pollution/
Bruce Balan says
Hi Carolyn,
Yes, we need more research in this area but a wait-and-see attitude for research ignores the fact that we are polluting the ocean and inland waters with microfibers every day. This is not a new problem. It’s a problem that is just now getting some attention.
“Right now, it’s estimated that fibers are, by count, the single largest contributor to watershed plastic pollution in developed countries and account for a significant portion of plastic waste entering the ocean.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqkekY5t7KY
As for the recycling aspect… that is not the case with a majority of the plastics being used. Especially now with the crisis caused by China no longer accepting this type of recycling from the west.
There have been many products over the years that provide a great service or convenience. We later learn that some of them have very negative aspects — asbestos, for example. When we know a product is causing harm, we need to stop using it.
Thanks,
Bruce
Paul s/v Fermata says
I bought towels few months ago. After using it on the boat I discovered that they started to smell badly. I’m drying them in the sun after every use to no avail. They have to be washed every week if not more often.
Carolyn Shearlock says
My TaLii towels are used constantly on our boat and don’t smell. I wash them maybe once every two weeks (whenever I do laundry).