On the wet cockpit business, mine used to get wet before I started moving stuff forward to get the weight forward (sails better that way) and I can't remember the last time the cockpit was wet while underway. If I load her heavy to the stern, she will squat, but normally, no water. Having those old style drains are not the best. Would prefer drains above the waterline out the stern. Holes in the boat below the waterline and all that. I have the galley model and use the sink drain to wash up in (also a great place to store stuff like water bottles) and the platform for my one burner stove. I have the aluminum toe rails and use those. The only thing I miss is a place to comfortably sit below while waiting for the rain to stop or hiding out from the mosquito swarms at night. I've even tried a small lawn chair but no joy. At 6' and 195, most of the time I'm sitting hunched over or crawling around on my knees. I'd also beef up the stop on the CB if you go to using a heavy metal one again. Possibly allow for a group 27 battery box to get a little more life out of the battery. Mine will only hold a group 24. More electronics these days. LED lights might help that, but fewer cell phones, VHS radios, GPS, depth sounders, etc. isn't going to happen. Howard 1978 M17, #278 (built in 2/78) Audasea