I paddle a country cousin of this slick looking boat, and no amount of lipstick and rouge could ever protect my bottom (I mean't my boat's bottom) from ugly scratches. A white cosmetic gelcoat idea to disguise the scratches I understand, the actual need for it I don't. The first gnarly angry scratch I found on my hull, had me a bit embarrassed when I laid it aside at the end of a portage. I've moved on since then, in many ways. I try to be tenderly careful with my one and only, but scratches happen. Those 2 tone H2O's are very nice to look at; but with my luck, I'd find the one and only lurking purpley-red rock in all of Ontario, to lay a heart breaking bow to stern screeeech along her derrière. Gelcoat was standard issue, and at 48 lbs I'm not complaining too much. If I can ever convince myself to buy another (non gel) boat, perhaps I will. In the meantime, I've been accidentally shaving off gelcoat weight, one stupid beaver dam at a time.
I appreciate the critiquing; I'm learning a lot.
ps One of my beautifully carved ergo handles snapped. dang! They really are very nice, but I replaced the broken one with a smooth barked maple branch. Not exactly carpentry craftsmanship, but sturdy and functional.