I think we're all in furious agreement that the RV series are great performers, and do exactly what VANS states they will. If you are prepared to go CS - then there are advantages......but at a price.
For me, what made the greatest difference to my -9A performance in cross country ops was going with fuel injection, plus electronic ignition on the RH 'mag'. Fuel consumption can be stretched far better than the carby versions of the 180HP -360 engine. You soon learn how to hot start them!
happy RV ing,