[grumpy]

When you are to this point,
1, Block sand the entire body in 180 (grey - dry paper) removing a bit of the gelcoat. Do this in 45 degree angle long strokes. Completely sand the entire area to be painted.
2. Blow on a little primer that is an opposing color (grey gel /red oxide primer, black gel/grey primer) and take the 16.5" flat board hand sander (grey - dry) and sand in long strokes at 15 degree angle to travel over all the surface. You will be surprised how many low and high spots show up. The primer will remain in the low areas.
3. Then hit it with a very heavy coat of filler/primer that will match your final coat shade. Re-sand with 220 or finer grit (grey - dry paper) in the same fashion as step two, only do not remove down to the gelcoat. Final prime if you're happy with the smoothness, and then get out the small rubber sanding blocks and sand the entire body with 45 degree angle strokes to each other until your'e satisfied. Use a sponge rubber with the 220 grit pad and the heel of you palm in the inside of radiused and shoulder areas.
4. From here it's the finishing sequences you need to go thru.

The manual is still correct in using the lacquer based primer for "leveling start prime to look for waves", it's quicker, cheaper, and dusts up easier. You will find lacquer thinner at less than 6.50 a gollon at Lowes, you'll need it for clean up anyway.

You'll be surprised how you will get the "feel" for a truly smooth surface after the above steps. Color coat and use "wet sanding" for the first time to look for additional waviness.

Grumpy