Can I remove the warning stickers?

New boater, new boat. I find the warning stickers all over the cockpit ugly. Can I take these off? Should I leave them on? Examples: Max 13 people, don't swim with the motor running, watch out for exhaust fumes, etc...

I found an old thread on this forum where someone was looking to obtain replacement stickers! Do they need to be there for future resale or something?

If you think they can be removed, how do you get them off the fiberglass? They seem to be stuck on pretty good. thanks

Capacity decal must be left on.

Welcome to the forum, congrats on the new boat.

The capacity label with max persons/weight is required. If you have a water or toilet system, the "don't pollute the water" instructions are required. The rest are for the lawyers. If you know a good lawyer, go ahead ... swim with the prop on, run with scissors, have fun! Just make sure you have a honda generator on the swim platform if you anchor for hours with the stereo playing.

No capacity plate is required by the Feds or FL if over 20'. Interestingly in FL it appears on a used boat under 20' it's not required either.

The 2017 Florida Statutes

Title XXIV
VESSELS Chapter 327
VESSEL SAFETY View Entire Chapter
327.52 Maximum loading and horsepower.—
(1) Except for sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and inflatable boats, this section applies to all monohull motorboats less than 20 feet in length that are: manufactured or used primarily for noncommercial use; leased, rented, or chartered to another for the latter’s noncommercial use; or engaged in the carrying of six or fewer passengers for hire.
(2) No person shall sell or offer for sale any vessel described in subsection (1) unless said vessel displays the maximum capacity information as prescribed in 33 C.F.R. part 183. This shall not apply to resales, but it is the intent of this section to require dealers and manufacturers to furnish this information upon the original sale.
(3) No person shall operate any vessel described in subsection (1) when said vessel exceeds the maximum weight capacity, maximum persons capacity, or maximum horsepower capacity. If no maximum capacity information is displayed, the capacities shall be calculated as provided in 33 C.F.R. part 183, subparts C and D. This subsection shall not preclude the finding of reckless operation under s. 327.33(1) when a vessel is operated in a grossly overloaded or overpowered condition.

Now would be the time to take them off. Carb cleaner and get your thumbnail under a corner and off it comes. Maybe a hair dryer but doubt you'll need it.

scoflaw said:

Now would be the time to take them off. Carb cleaner and get your thumbnail under a corner and off it comes. Maybe a hair dryer but doubt you'll need it.

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I would caution on using carb cleaner right off the start..... I would try to use some less aggressive measures first like googone.

Won't hurt a thing, used it a hundred times.

scoflaw said:

Won't hurt a thing, used it a hundred times.

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It's not the hundred times it did not hurt anything, it is the one time it does damage something. Always try the least aggressive treatment first. In this case a blow dryer first then chemical solutions in order of strength next is good advice.

MM

WD 40 is what the people who brought us a new refrigerator used to remove the glue from the tape that held the door closed.
I was told I need "a do not throw oil or garbage over board".

On my boat the required warnings are placards not stickers.

WD-40® Multi-Use Product can be used on just about everything. It is safe to use on metal, rubber, wood and plastic. It can also be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40® Multi-Use Product.

The WD-40 website doesn't specifically say it can be used on 'gelcoat' but I'll add my testimonial....'I usually use a heat gun on stickers first and do the cleanup if any with the WD-40. I've used WD-40 for 50+ years on virtually all surfaces including gelcoat, it is an awesome mix of petroleum distillates. For the Climate Change Concerned be aware the propellant is CO2 and with every squirt comes a dead polar bear.... 'Woody', Deep in the forest of N. Wisconsin'

Gansett Goose said:

New boater, new boat. I find the warning stickers all over the cockpit ugly. Can I take these off? Should I leave them on? Examples: Max 13 people, don't swim with the motor running, watch out for exhaust fumes, etc...

I found an old thread on this forum where someone was looking to obtain replacement stickers! Do they need to be there for future resale or something?

If you think they can be removed, how do you get them off the fiberglass? They seem to be stuck on pretty good. thanks

Click to expand...

It's your boat, you can do what you want. I'd keep the CG sticker just to be safe, though - it may not be needed, but there's less questions by an "official" if it's there.

As far as removing it, use whatever means you want to. A hair dryer or heat gun to soften the glue will make the initial removal easier. To get the residue off... acetone, goo-gone, goof-off, WD-40, naptha, etc, etc. None of these will harm the gelcoat. Make it easy - use the best one you have, first.

+1 on the hair dryer and use it sparingly. If you get the decal too hot it just pulls apart. Hit it lightly with the hair dryer, get a thumbnail under a corner, then pull gently and heat as you go. It comes off clean with very little residue to clean up.