I apprenticed as a painter many years ago............ The secret is lots of coats and flat it down with wet and dry between coats ...... If I was going to hand paint a hull then I'd first spend a lot of time prepping the surface, with painting "what you see is what youget" if there is a blemish it'll show ......... Good quality brushes ............. and the last two coats???? "One Shot Signwriters Enamel" it'll look like glass ........
You can get "One Shot" from Wrights of Lymm, mail order .........
http://www.stonehouses.co.uk/product_list.php?id=509