Re: chalky boat
Unfortunately wax is not the best way to bring back the shine of chalky gelcoat. Wax works well on surfaces that still have a shine. The wax just protects and brings out a shine you already have. Chalky gelcoat is caused by the breakdown of the gelcoat surface itself. You are going to have to get the surface repaired before any decent shine is going to come back.
Rubbing compound used in progressively finer grits will first remove the chalk then polish the surface back to a shine.
Another method is by using a product called Poli-Glow. They make a cleaner that you use to remove the chalk. Then you apply poli-glow to the boat. It is temporary fix, they claim it will last 6 months before you have to re-apply it.
http://www.poliglow-int.com/
Both of these methods are going to be temporary if the gelcoat is very old and faded. To get a slightly more permanent finish you are going to have to paint.
Waxing a boat is a big job. I would hate to see you put all that work into it just to be disappointed.
