Boot stripe; replace with decal or paint ?

[hockeyfool]

I have an old 1981 23  and have some shoddy work fix; need to remove poorly retaped decal  for boot stripe, so
should after removing decal should I replace  the boot stripe with better vinyl or paint ?
Any ideas also on where is best to re-apply ? It seems previous owner put it on right smack-dab adjacent to bottom-side paint ! 

[Bob23]

   Forget the decal; I've tried it and it didn't stay on. I used Pettit boot stripe paint in red, widened it to about an inch and it looks great. I usually need to touch it up every season but my 23 spends about 7 months every year moored in salt water.
   Be sure to sand lightly and clean up the area with acetone before you paint. I mask it off with blue painters tape and then with a high quality 1" brush, go to town. It's amazing how good a small detail like the bootstripe can make the boat look.
   bob23

[brackish]

I think i would have agreed with Bob23 until I saw this:



This is a 1977 Com Pac 16.  From Sailing Texas.  It looks like it is brand new with factory taping.  It was, however, done by Hutchins.

[Glenn Basore]

I  would get the decal and stripe from Com Pac ............

I did buy some custom vinyl lettering which went on easy and have not had a problem with it pealing off or not sticking.

Glenn