Okay, maybe I need some counseling too.

My recommendations were from the perspective of what I would do to get a 1983 boat ready to do some racing. I agree that if the sailing skills are not quite there then the first priority is to get time on the boat. Tiller time is the cheapest go fast gear you can "buy". Rick's books and videos move you up the curve even faster.

Ronnie spent $450 on what appears to be a boat in very good condition and is ready to sail recreationally. Hopefully he has some additional change to make some upgrades. I've seen folks show up to regattas with badly blown out sails, polypro rope for tramp lacing, etc. Such boats cannot be competetive and it has to be frustrating for the sailors. You need both decent equipment (but not neccessarily every go fast gadget) and decent skills. Kind of a yin and yang thing, have to feed both sides.