Try "Skenes Elements of Yacht Design", out of print, but one of the best references for Naval Architecture. It should have some basic guidelines. Now why would one want to do such a thing is another issue.
There are a number of different painting solutions available. I am assuming that it is a mild steel structure . Look at Devoe Marine Coatings. Basically it is sandblast, then epoxy prime with a urethane topcoat, should last for a number of years unless you are submerged...The navy uses some...