How? What paint should I use? I called a marine supply place and they said I have to treat it with Alumacoat then topcoat, but when I crunched the numbers the price came out ridiculous. There's gotta be another way. Suggestions?

Acid wash, hit it with self etching primer, shoot the paint of your choice within 24 hours.

I used rustoleum paint and primer, first I sanded down to bare metal, wiped it down to remove dust, and then rolled on 2 coats of each, its very cheap, and nice looking, I'm posting pics of my boat soon.

Interested in seeing those pics. Have you used the boat yet? Has the paint held up? I spoke with someone from Great Bay Marine and they said since I'll be trailoring the boat and not leaving it in the water that I can get away with an enamel paint. And when it gets dinged or scratched its easy and cheap to fix. He said the process of painting aluminum is too expensive wether they do it or I do it.