I just finished that job last year, and you're going to love the results, in case you have any doubts.
I would
paint it with the barrier coat now, rather than putting on antifouling and doing it next season. Stripping it is by far the hardest part, and, if you put on antifouling this year, you'll have to strip it
again next year. It doesn't take that long to roll on the barrier coats, and then roll on the antifouling, and then
you're done! It made me a little late to launch last year, but I got my sailing in by crewing for other folks. I'm just starting boat prep this year, and it'll be a snap.
