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Here is the thing, many do "modern" refurbs to Whalers with yellow or blue hulls, replace the RPS with some new leaning post, remove or greatly alter the OEM console along with many other things but, down the road those hulls sit on the market FOREVER. It seems like people who want to buy a used classic Whaler want it to look as close to OEM as possible. The boat is much more valuable done as an OEM restoration...period. It is kind of like classic cars. People who want a true classic want and will pay for more for one that looks like it rolled off the line than one pinstripes, fade paint jobs and goofy looking wheels. Anyway a nicely restored classy OEM looking Whaler will turn FAR MORE heads than a one done to look like everything else today. I am stopped at the boat ramp, at the beach, on the lake, at the gas station and many other places when people see my 1976 Newport just to talk about it. I even had one guy turn around and follow me some miles till I stopped for gas just so he could look about the boat.

When it comes down to it is YOUR boat and not the painter's (your buddy). If he really is a friend he will refinish the boat how you would like it done. If he will not listen take it elsewhere. He would have to Whaler-itis himself to understand.