Boot stripe/boottop and stripe under gunwale

[Killick69]

In planning the antifoul job I have learned about boottops. Are they necessary, or can one take antifoul higher up? If painting a boottop, what paint to use?

Night Cap has a broad (about 4 inch) green stripe just under the gunwale. It seems this was fashionable when mk3s were built.When next on the boat i will trial sanding this stripe off in a small spot. I might have to paint a new stripe, but would prefer no stripe (depends on whether I can get all old paint off, whether clear coat has not faded to same degree as rest of hull).

There is a tape strip (brown/gold?) one inch below the broad green stripe. This tape, I definitely have to somehow remove.

Any tips welcome. thanks, John