[justrollin]

Any one know if the gold and black boot stripes on lower hull sides on a 1998 3100 open are gel coat or painted?

[Uhehner]

I re-did two "88s that had tape. Took it off with mild heat and a sharp straight edge. Then I painted on black Interlux Perfection (2 part) and added 3M gold tape. The results were fantastic. Still looking like new after 10 years in the Florida sun. Capt. George

[snowdevil]

I have a 2000 and it is part off the gelcoat. Mine was faded out real bad and a couple of times compounding it out it looks great. Not sure how long it will last but good for now.

[outrigger]

if they are gel, they are smooth to the touch with the white of the hull. if they are painted or stickers you will be able to feel them.

my 2003 42, they are gel

[Chris Burkard]

Beginning in about 1992 or so, all boot stripes where gel coated into the molds with the exception of hull number 1 of each new model. Hull # 1 is floated once complete and properly balanced and then the boot line is marked and applied with paint. Then they use those measurements to apply the boot stripes to all future models.

Over the years, the dark colored boot stripes can fade to the point where you will have to paint over them in order to make them look good. For a more OEM job, you could have Gel Coat resprayed, but it will be more expensive than paint.

Good Luck.

[sawdustdad]

My 1997 3700 Open has gel coat boot stripes. Compounded them (the black mostly) and it improved appearance a lot. Need to take another whack at them again this year.

I have gold and black tape stripes around the foredeck house and down the outsides of the bridge deck. there is some wear to the stripes, so I am contemplating a replacement.

[Uhehner]

If you want to re-tape your boat, here is my easy way to do it. Remove the old tape with some mild heat and a window paint scraper with the tips of the razor blade rounded off so you don't gouge the gelcoat. Clean the surface with acetone to remove any wax. Buy some "Fine Line" tape in the width that you want the space between the two colors to be. Put the FL tape where you want it, continually eyeballing and adjusting it for straightness. This is the hardest part of the job. Next buy "3M Striping Tape", it comes in lots of colors and widths and stands up really well to the elements. Butt the 3M tape to the FL tape (this is the easy part) and then remove the FL tape. Comes out perfect every time. Capt. George

[Reef Pass]

I have a 1995 43 Open in the yard right now getting a bottom job. The black gel coated boot stripe has seen its day. Yard is quoting $1,400 to prep and spray LP over the black. Does that sound like a reasonable price?

[Uhehner]

Black Interlux Perfection - $90, 3M Fine line tape - $30, Acetone - $10 Brush - $10 X 2, time to tape and paint 2 coats - 4 hours, 6 if I work real slow. You do the math. Capt. George

[Reef Pass]

Uhehner - 5/30/2014 1:32 PM

Black Interlux Perfection - $90, 3M Fine line tape - $30, Acetone - $10 Brush - $10 X 2, time to tape and paint 2 coats - 4 hours, 6 if I work real slow. You do the math. Capt. George

Thanks for the reply. A DIY would save some substantial $$$ obviously.

Should probably add that the black gel coat has cracks from what I'm assuming is the black heating up over time so that should equate to some extra prep work. Also, the through-hulls (12) will need to be gone over with this process. Too bad Tiara didn't use SS as the plastic is badly oxidized and probably won't let the paint bond all that well. Not keen on overpaying for anything but am somewhat at the mercy of the yard as the boat is currently on the hard and performing the paint work in the water is not something I'm looking to take on. I also liked the idea that they are going to spray versus brush. Decided to move forward with their quote.

Hopefully this helps other owners with an idea on what they can expect to pay for comparable work.