Cigarette used to paint their bilges red. It's your boat, paint it any color you want. I like white, it helps hide imperfections.

The rustoleum works great, take your time on prep, apply two coats! Your total cost assuming you need 3 quarts, a good brush and thinner, sand paper etc will be less than $40.00.

awl grip by u.s paint's is actually desighned to go over gelcoat. it comes in many colors, and need's 2 coat's. roller , brush, or spray your coice. it is a 2 part e- urathane paint that is quite durable and if cured properly before you start crawling on it, it shines and lasts for a long time. pic of a 02' top gun done with this paint after the bilge caught fire.