New owner of 38cc, introduction

Hi,

My wife, Jane and I (Dave) are buying Vida of Menai a Rival 38 Centre Cockpit, Ketch. Purchase all agreed, survey done, completion within a month.

Our long term plans include a 3 month sabbatical cruise to the Med in 2 or 3 years and then liveaboard cruising in about 4 years time.

Any other owners about?

The interior is needing a massive clean, the gas installation has been condemned, only one seacock to be replaced (the newest, replacement engine cooling intake), otherwise pretty good.

We have lots of questions! :-)

Any experiences of what seems to be an original/ancient autopilot? We haven't been able to find where it actually connects to the steering system yet.

The mainsail appears to be a retrofit mast furling system rivited to the aft edge of the mast with the original boom adapted. Anyone seen these on a Rival? We are a bit sad at the loss of sail area and concerned about what happens if it jams at sea.

We are rather daunted by the number of "holes" in the bottom with 2 head compartments, galley, cockpit drains, scuppers etc. Anyone have problems with these or changed things to reduce the number?

There are some davits which we think we will remove (at minimum they need much better backing plates and deck star crazing repairs). We feel a small, deflated rib on the foredeck is better for us (cheaper in marinas, but also with a fairly narrow stern the boats don't seem to be naturally suited to davits).

Thanks for any suggestions.

Dave