My first SeaCraft!

[Bushwacker]

If your gel coat is just faded/oxidized without a lot of craze cracking, I'd consider using Poly-Glo on it. Much easier than the wet sand/compound/wax buff routine plus it will last MUCH longer! (Like 1 year in the severe UV of S. Fl!) I've been using it for about 5 years on my boat's original gel coat and am quite pleased with the looks and durability of it. The HD cleaner that comes in the kit will make it very dull looking, but it's important to get the surface clean because whatever is on there will be there for at least a year once you put the coating on it! The coating appears to be some sort of urethane emulsion and leaves a very high gloss, like the surface is wet. The first couple of coats may show some streaks, but they'll disappear after about 5-6 coats.

Regarding the I/O, you'll find that the boat is better balanced with it. Although it's heavier than most outboards, the extra weight is forward of the transom, so the I/O models tend to ride better and plane at low speed, like around 12 mph! If you're used to working on them, it'll probably be cheaper and easier to maintain than an outboard!