[fireboat]

I agree with boatbob, you don't want to gelcoat a big area because it won't lay down flat and it is a bear to sand. However, for small repairs, gelcoat is the best way.
Regular epoxy primer and a single stage urethane is the way to go for most. For doing an entire hull (above the waterline) or the deck and inner liner, I prefer Alexseal, Awlgrip, Sterling or Perfection linear polyurethane paints.
For the bottom, re-gelcoat or better, apply an epoxy barrier coat and paint with an anti-fouling bottom paint.

Oh, btw, a fair number of high end boatbuilders DO paint their hulls fresh from the factory. Viking and Hatteras Yachts paint the entire hull above the waterline. Intrepid which is a premium fiberglass outboard boat builder also routinely paints sheer and boot stripes with Awlgrip. Why? Because LP paint is harder than gelcoat and it will fade less also.

[fordSR]

I would venture to say that every single boat pictured here is painted with automotive finishes and most will be B/C.

http://www.dragboatcity.com/boats-sale/index.html

For large boats that spend their life in salt water, there are many manufactures who use Awl Grip and other marine topcoats instead of gel coat for the reasons already described. Many large boats are not made in a mold, they are glass over wood and the topcoat is applied after the boat construction is finished. Below the waterline for these boats require another type of finish to retard barnacles and other bad things that grow on boat bottoms when sitting in a marina slip. For a trailer boat with a solid color stripe down the side, it's a no brainer for me. SINGLE STAGE automotive Acrylic of the color of your choice, two coats and you're done. You could use B/C but not necessary for your application due to the additional film build. Use 3m Fineline tape, prep the area according to the Tech Bulletin and you will be good to go.

Drag boats that run over 200 + MPH use a speed coating on the bottom to the chine, from there up is usually B/C because of the graphics. This is no big deal for a trailer boat.

You're probably on the wrong website for boat painting questions. Here's a couple for you to browse.

http://www.v-driveboat.com/forum.php
http://www.performanceboats.com/forum.php


Jim