Enamel vs Gel Coat

I'm getting ready to paint my Hulls this weekend. I've sprayed thousands of gallons of Poly and Urethane Enamels as well as lacquer over the years. Never sprayed Gel Coat so I'm wondering what the thinking is on putting white Urethane Enamel with a clear coat on my hulls?

Also I've had to make some repairs in the non-slip areas on the top of my hulls. There's no way I can avoid sanding in this area and removing a portion of the non-slip. Has anybody sanded the Non-slip off completely? I could put a non-slip paint there or use something else. Looking fror thoughts on this one!

Trying hard to get my boat back together in time for the nationals which start here next week in Ft Walton Beach. I won't be racing, but I'll be watching!

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1999 Hobie 20, Sail #1005
2001 Hobie 16, "Spirit of 76 sails" #18515. Sold
1981 Hobie 18, Dead!

I just restored mine over the summer and painted with Interlux brightside and i am very happy with the results. I also had topside softspots which was around the non-skid. I decided to sand out all the non-skid and just go with a smooth surface. At this point my sailing experience is basicly below rookie level so I'm not climbing out on the hulls. When that time comes I may have to concider painting some non-skid sections.

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

I just regelcoated the bottom 5-6 inches of both hulls with white gelcoat. Plain white gelcoat matched. If you use the non waxed gelcoat, you can't sand it. But you can build up layers without sanding. Gelcoat with wax, you can sand. This I used for the last coat or two, sanding between coats to flatten it out. Regelcoating is a trying experience, but worth the time put into it.