OK IM READY.

well im ready to tackle the hull but dont know quite where to start. the hull has never been painted. i know i have to sand. what paper? cleaner after sanding? anything i forgot? HELP? ! ? ! ?

[msbhammer]

LOL, hell, I did my over and over again so many times.
Sand with 80 grit and use West Marine dewaxer. If you have alot of gelcoat / stress cracks in the hull, put on a coat of Interlux barrier coat primer. Then paint.

Now to do things alot quicker with no sanding, West Marine does have a no sand primer paint. Simply paint on and then paint over with bottom paint. I used Interlux Epoxy Cop bottom paint. It holds a nice shine and a good price as well compared to other shiny bottom paint at 150.00 a gallon.
But for myself, I havent heard good things about the no sand primer. I been seeing a few boats coming back with chunks of bottom paint coming off. Be sure to read the instructions if using the no sand primer paint.