Drift Boat Renovation

Well Ive been trying to fix up my drift boat before my April 1st departure to Alaska. My hopes were to have it tuned up with a shave and a haircut for my trip to Plumas co. California in June, the Pit and Hat creek have been begging me to float them. But I just haven't been able to get even the old paint off, or even pick a new color.... battleship gray perhaps??? its a 1986 Don Hill drifter, that had been rear ended and had to have 1' taken off the stern and replace.. so now its 13'... lucky unlucky number perhaps? Ive been considering naming it ole' 13#, the boat catches fish, hope tuning it up does't kill its fishiness.