Hey this is just down the road from me. Well 2 hours.
Out of all the Freedom bottoms I would consider this one with the stub external ballast keel and longer rudder to be the best.
Eyes wide open is appropriate as David H said.
I bet the tranny issues can be sorted.
I would be in the car by now if I had not bought my Badger which I believe still sits forlornly on land in VT.
I bet she can be sorted to be a low cost New England/ Nova Scotia cruiser.
Good luck to someone.