After reading some more, Im starting to have second thoughts about Awlgrip for the top coat. Between fishing and river cruises (with multiple stops), I probably dock the boat at least 150 times a summer. With only a single screw motor, on windy days you sometimes just have to hope for the best when docking. I havent ever damaged the gelcoat but I do get those rubber rub mark streaks on occasion. Not sure how paint would hold up to that and Awlgrip isnt repairable. Ahhh why do these choices have to be so complicated....
Well, if your concerns are repairability, then you probably should avoid the LPU's like Awlgrip, Sterling, ect...they are durable, yes, but they aren't meant to be buffed, waxed, or repaired....not that you cant repair or buff them, but once their proprietary outer coating is breached, constant buffing/waxing is a must to maintain the luster.
And since you don't plan to spray, you're somewhat limited in choice, auto paints like PPG, Dupont, ect are spray only.
The acrylic based boat paints like Awlcraft, are repairable, but slightly less durable.
You said you were planning to replace the rubrail, so if you ditched the aluminum/vinyl combo, and went with the sturdier type like on a Whaler, you can pretty much play bumper cars with the pilings, and keep the gel/paint from rash.. Just a thought.
http://infozing.com/bostonwhaler/installing-a-new-rub-rail-bumper-rail-on-a-boston-whaler-13-15-17/