How to removie name decal - and new name questions?

[sailhog]

Originally Posted by glassdad

Try and peal the letters off with a scraper first. I went through the same worry about removing the name on my boat. That name had to come off. It was "Manyana why not NC". Look at the fading before planning how to fix it. It may not be that bad. Our letters came off very easily and the remaining glue was removed with a little acetone.

As for the Pirate name, do what you want. A boat is a toy. Play with it. Year ago I had a capri 14.2. We would fly a pirate flag showing Donald Duck with a knife gripped in his bill. Traditional, no. Fun yes.

That's hilarious! "Manyana why not NC" is quite a name!

[CapitainMike]

Originally Posted by aimcat

My husband and I are days away from buying our first sailboat and we have pretty much decided we are getting a Helsen 22. It is yellow with a black bottom. Right now it has a name on each side "alyvia" - hate it. It must come off - if it can! Is there a good way to remove these decal letters without messing up the boat or paint?

Also we would like to name the boat something else after that has come off - is it true it is a "no no" to name a boat anything pirate related? Sorry Im a pirate nerd and just like the cheesy pirate stuff - yes laugh. However I read on another site it is in bad taste to name a boat pirate things or even fly a pirate related flag?! Common its just for fun - Im not going to go up to my fellow wakeboard or pontoon boats and rob them!

Anyway if that is truely in bad taste (hopefully I didnt offend anyone) then what about a name cordinating with the color of the boat ? Yellowfin, Yellowtail?

Pirate flag, pirate flags, jolly roger pirate flag
This one gives you some backround on the different Pirate Flags

http://www.best-buy-flags.co.uk/exit/search
You have a big selection to choose from.

Pirate Flags by Pirate Fahions.com


pirates sudan ship -

Pirates are alive and carrying out their unlawful and terrorising business today. I hope you don't meet anyone who has suffered at the hands of these terrible people.

Somali Islamists seize ship from pirates - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan

[apogee1mars]

Peel it off but be prepared to see the ghost lettering from fade

[spinwing]

Or as my dockmate calls his yellow boat "Bananas"

[SHNOOL]

Originally Posted by mstern

I took old vinyl lettering off the transom of my boat with a razor blade. You can round off the corners of the blade with a file to make it even less likely that you will gouge the gelcoat. There will be adhesive left on the hull, which will come off easily with acetone.

Yep I second the razor knife. Is what I used for hull numbers on mine. I have not renamed my boat yet, not sure I am going to though.

[puddinlegs]

Use a scraper in conjunction with a blow dryer or heat gun... warm things up just a bit and they'll come right up. Xylene will take off whatever adhesive remains. Buff out the area thoroughly, then two coats of wax. This will minimize the gelcoat shadow left by the old name and hailing port.