Russ,

Lot of variables there- you thinking of painting or gelling it yourself? Got experience spray painting- gel is very similar.  Gel and a Southwind you could end up upside down real fast. I used Axalta Imron a different brand 20 footer around 2014 doing the deck and sides- bottom has bottom paint. Materials alone were 1K. It has held up very well but not as forgiving as gel. In order to do gel work correctly the old needs to come off. Gel like paint can be too thick.

Paint is softer & will mar easier.  But paint has better UV resistance, so it will fade less.

If you use paint it's really no different than painting a car. What type of paint you use makes some personal protection necessary. Imron is nasty stuff health wise but holds up incredibly well. I am always amazed how it will get a mark from something that would scratch a lesser paint but that mark will easily come off with Collinite 920 cleaner. Awlgrip is another brand of marine paint but I have no experience with it. Most of these types of paint are not recommended for below waterline but you might be ok if you trailer your boat or keep it on a lift. I understand your color change there has been some fugly colors in the past but I cannot think of any bad colors used in the 80's. I think I would just wet sand and polish up what you have and color match to fix the cracks. 

I have looked and looked and I honestly don’t know how to post pictures on here. And it’s so dull and such a ugly red. It’s almost irritating to look at it and I’m out of work for a while and it gives me something to work on. And I will not be taking it on the sea just on the lake. Just to fish a little and ride a tube behind it. That’s about it. But I’m in the process of black carbon fiber upholstery and black carpet goes in. And I want the boat to be black with a little bit of neon orange and I was thinking neon orange would be the correct craft and south wind on the sides. I know it sounds different but I’ve had this project in my yard for a year and drove it a couple times and I want it finished before I go out again. So I need to change that white black and need the best paint to do it and pointers and everything that needs to be done so I can watch videos on the paints and how it needs to be done also so I feel more comfortable doing it right

Can you tell me how to post pictures on here so I can post them and get some ideas on what color I should go I want something darker but I’ll honestly go with whatever. But whatever I choose will be different then most boats. Some type of color that sticks out

Silenced wrote: when I look it up it says I need two different paints for bottom to a certain spot.

Russ,

The engine is good I believe, just spent 800 on rebuilding carburetor. New fuel regulator, bee fuel pump, new battery, new spark plugs, and oil and oil filter. A cam. And I honestly don’t know what stringers mean.and the upholstery is all split, corners busted. And old. And a couple of full days on the water. And ran great. Besides the steering wheel turns without holding it. It seems like it’s easier just to have someone else to paint it it only cost a thousand to 1500 to paint it verse a 1000 for paint and me doing work. So I’m confused to why people don’t just have others paint it. All this is so confusing because I’ve never owned a boat and honestly I want to resale it after summer when I’m done re doing it

Assume you read the link but just to make sure...you can’t do pics from a phone or tablet. Need to work from a computer. Then you need to click the reply button and go to the tree icon from there. The quick reply box at the bottom is a no go for pics.

As far as the boat. I have a feeling you will be happy with a compound (maybe some sanding) of the gel. It will shine up.

What was $800 on the carb. Hopefully more than just the carb work.

Good deal. 1500 and running well is great. If it were me I’d give a heavy cut compound on a wool pad on a rotary buffer (not a da) a try. You may be surprised what compound will do and will only cost ~50 for compound and wool pad. Resale at season end will be best with original gel and graphics

Silenced wrote:  I want to make the boat worth more and better looking for cheaper if possible .

I did a '76 Southwind a few years ago.  I started with a heavy cut compound (Wizards Turbo Cut), and then went to a medium cut, and then a fine compound to take any scratches out, followed by a wax.  3M makes good products.  You will need an electric buffer for best results.  Don't do it by hand.  Go to any auto supply store, and they can show you what you need.  Go to youtube to pick up techniques too.  Youtube will be your friend at this stage.