[paulk]

A good primer should fill minor gelcoat crazing, if the "hull is structurally sound" as you say. 420''s flex a lot, however, so look for crazing to reappear after a while. To keep the boat looking good longer, use 2-part polyurethane topcoats. The 1-part paints I''ve applied simply haven''t held up well to real-life use. Prepping the boat takes a LONG TIME. (Double whatever you think - I''d plan two or three entire weekends for a 420 before you''re ready to paint.) Since it takes so much effort to prep the boat, you don''t want to do it again soon -- so use 2-part paint. Also get a
good filter/respirator - you don''t want to be breathing the dust OR the paint fumes. (Professionals are required to use pressurized air filter systems with this stuff.) The results with a small foam roller, "tipped" with a brush if needed,
can be excellent.