BoatBanter.com - boat maintenance questions

Hey all,

I am somewhat of a newbie and am trying to revive a 1987 Larson 25 foot
cabin cruiser and I have several boat maintenance questions... figured
the nice people that participate in this group probably have the
answers.

- The engine on the boat is only 2 years old, looks really clean, and
starts with ease. It's a 160HP engine and should not have trouble
propelling this relatively light boat (4500 lbs.) However, the boat
strugles to go more than 18 mph or so at full throttle and I can't get
it to plane at all. A guy I befriended a couple of slips down the pier
said that this boat should easily be able to go 25-30 with that engine
and the reason why it can't is probably stuff growning on the bottom.
I intend to have it pulled out and bottom cleaned/sanded/painted and
believe that could speed it up, but it's hard to believe it could have
such a large impact. Any thoughts?

- The fiberglass on the deck has lots of markings and is generally very
dirty. Should I just give it some elbow grease by scrubbing with
household cleaners or are those expensive cleaning solutions intended
just for boats better?

- I went to the local marine store, and I thought the non marking shoes
that grip well to the deck were overpriced and uncomfortable. Any tips
for shoe brands/models available in a run of the mill retail store that
won't mark the boat and will give sure footing?

- The colored part of the gel coating is rather faded... and I heard
that waxing it will shine it up very little... what is the best
approach whe dealing with faded gel coats.

thanks!
Mark