Been looking into putting new nonskid on my flats boat and the shop is asking if I want it to be done with awlgrip or with gel coat. Gel coat is 1000$ more expensive. Is the gel coat worth the extra money even though the boat will always be covered and indoors?

Hello everyone, i have a used new to me skiff. It has a million tiny cracks on the gunwales from the sun. These have original factory non skid. Is there a wax, epoxy, or something else that I can use to restore of fix? thanks,