Reviewed and updated: October 25, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA
If you are looking for awesome boat tattoo ideas then you are in the right place. Here we have compiled a list of the best boat tattoos for you.
boat and ship tattoos have different meanings.
In the past, sailors, mostly men, could be seen sporting these tattoos. However, nowadays women are also asking for these tattoos.
If you are wondering what a boat tattoo means or what boat and ship tattoos mean, there are many answers. They symbolize new journeys, beginnings, safe return home, good luck, bravery, life and more. Read on for more ship and boat sleeve, leg, arm, chest tattoo ideas.
Vintage boat tattoo
Nothing beats the scenic beauty of a ship or boat sailing calmly on the sea or in the ocean. Such calm, serene elements of life can also be effectively implemented as tattoos or inked.
If you are wondering what a cool vintage boat tattoo design looks like, then the image above is a beautiful representation of the same. It depicts an ancient boat or ship sailing calmly in the sea while the entire scene is enclosed in an exquisite gilded mirror with two beautiful flowers at the bottom of the stand. You can also make your own adjustments and tweaks to this theme and add more vivid and boot-related features that represent your life.
Pirate ship tattoo
Whether it’s Captain Jack Sparrow or Anne Bonny, we’ve all been fascinated by pirate stories since we were little. With the advent of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, love for the rulers of the sea increased many times over. So, if you are planning to search for Davy Jones’ locker, encounter the mythical Kraken or travel to the end of the world, then a pirate boat tattoo design could be just what you are looking for.
The image above is a prime example of a unique and dark tattoo design. The cool sleeve arm design features a pirate ship beneath a pirate’s skeleton. These dark and detailed elements can create magnificent yet personal body art where deep passion can be found. If you are a fan of the anime ‘One Piece’ then you are in luck! You can definitely opt for similar pirate tattoos. So, there’s no need to bargain, just watch the sun on the horizon singing “Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum”!
Fishing Boat Tattoo
What might be considered a pastime or favorite pastime for others can become a popular and great tattoo choice for many people, both men and women. A wide type of fishing boats and other fishing related and related boats, usually sailing calmly in the sea, can be colored full sleeve design by both men and women.
Fishing is fun, unique and a cool way for people to actively participate. Therefore, painting a boat entirely can be easy yet cute. Just like the picture above, a fishing trawler is seen with a school of swordfish jumping out of the water. So sailors, what are you waiting for? Find an artist and get the ink of life on your wrist or leg. These tattoo ideas are good body art designs that represent unique styles and once you have them inked they can lift the spirits on a dark night.
rowboat tattoo
“Oar, oar, row your boat” is a famous nursery rhyme we heard during our childhood and now it can become a cool tattoo design or a new style to show your love for boats or ships. Whether sailing or rowing a boat, it can be a great experience for both men and women.
As shown in the image above, we can see a man rowing a single boat on the sea. The image is a beautiful rendition of Pink Floyd’s iconic album cover The Endless River. So all you Pink Floyd fans, gather together and opt for this simple yet unique art that is sure to look cool as a sleeve or as a sleeve Half sleeve tattoos.
Simple boat tattoo
Simplicity can often be the best thing one could wish for. And the same is true when it comes to tattoo ideas. While the majority of people believe in unique, complex sleeve style tattoos, it is often seen that simple tattoo ideas steal the show with their simplicity and elegance.
A tattoo artist’s innocent style and unique art style can be highlighted with just a simple outline of a boat calmly sailing across the sea. Art appeals to the beholder, so look for your own simple boat tattoo design and ask your artist to draw the very best design you are craving so much!
Nautical abstract tattoos
In recent times complex and abstract art has taken the globe by storm and so has tattoos. These tattoos are not only cute but also bring out the creativity of the artist who is creating these drawings. Abstract art can have a wide range of things ranging from comical to mythical elements locked in an abstract concept.
Just like the image above, we can see a ship being crushed and finally devoured by a creature that appears to be a cross between an octopus and a squid. A squid has 10 legs while an octopus has 8 legs. However, the animal in this tattoo design has 9 legs and is seen crushing the ship. This beast is said to be loosely based on the Scandinavian sea monster Kraken, notorious for destroying ships in the ocean. So what are you waiting for? Go for some cool nautical tattoos with your own personalized adjustments!
Boat tattoo with compass
With every trip you have to know where you are going. And the best device that indicates the exact direction of travel is a compass. Since its invention, this device has proven useful for all travelers and sailors are no exception. So having a tattoo design of a boat with a compass makes sense.
In the image above we see a gorgeous boat tattoo and a beautiful compass pointing north. Above we can see an abstract view where a boy with a fishing rod is sitting on a crescent moon. This extra element adds extra charm to the design, thereby making it cute.
Sailor tattoos with boat
A sailor is the commander of the boat or ship and a design with images of sailors can be a perfect tribute to them.
Generally these tattoos are known to be in full sleeve designs and are usually preferred by men. Ship and sailor tattoos are unique and therefore can be a perfect way to flaunt your tattoo on the street!
paper boat tattoo
Many of our childhood memories are filled with building and playing with paper boats in the rain. We can’t deny that these are some of the fondest memories we have of our childhoods. These tattoos usually represent innocence and a sense of joy, freedom and ecstasy that you felt in your younger days. Sailors can also be seen donning these tattoos.
Watercolor designs work wonders with simple outline tattoos and this can be seen very well in the image above. You can also opt for detailed textured paper boat tattoos. Choose your favorite and color it.
American traditional tattoo of boats
Although different types of tattoos have evolved over the centuries, the saying “old is gold” remains true forever. Old school American tattoos are traditional design styles and will never go out of style.
Ship tattoo designs like the one shown above are a perfect example of an old school style of tattoo design. The nautical design depicts seas where a ship is sailing with birds in the clouds. These ship tattoos or body art are extremely cool and unique and can often serve as sleeve tattoos that can be inked on the arm as well as other body parts like the leg or on the chest and wrist. These tattoos can be inked by both men and women and small improvements like pirates, a ship or a modern portrait can turn out to be wonderful designs.
Apart from the tattoo design ideas that we have suggested, there are more that you can opt for. Like full sleeve ocean and boat tattoos, boat and sea world tattoos, octopus and ship tattoos and more. These tattoo designs not only bring an extra spice to the normal options that are available but also bring with them a variety of culture and traditions associated with tattoos. With modern age viewers addicted to the cult series Pirates Of The Caribbean, there will be many tattoo enthusiasts who want their first tattoo to be that of a ship or boat!