Nobody asked what the surfaces are that you're painting. Wood? Gelcoat? Fiberglass? I've seen boats with painted vinyl, painted plastic laminate. If it's got a surface someone will
paint it. What are you working with here?
I work in a boat yard and do mostly varnishing. I do some painting when it's slow - but there are guys here that do painting - interior and exterior - all of the time. Let's look at what you've got and go from there. I can tell you that your prep work is 90% of any refinish job if it's going to be done right. And I've long maintained, if you don't have time to do it right, when are you going to find time to do it over?
I'll check this thread again tonight and see how things are progressing. Off to work now.