The reason there are so many ways to do it is because there are so many types of paints and expectations for the outcome. You want perfect, it takes a lot of time and money, you just want it covered with white paint.....tuhat can be cheap and relatively easy.
I re-read most of the thread. Just sand and paint, white is the best color, it will hide most of the defects, black is the worst, so don't even think about it.
No primer.
You need thinner, the paint won't level and flow very well without it, plus it's cheaper than paint.
Practice on a small area and get the rolling and brushing technique dialed in before starting on the boat, it doesn't cost money to use good techniques, the job just turns out better.
Look around, you may find some bargain bin paint at a very low cost, or someone even getting rid of excess paint from some project. Look on craigslist for someone giving it away. Even high gloss exterior house paint will work.
