Welcome to the class, you have definately made the right decision, not only with the boat, but buying an AH one is a good move.
As for your questions:-
1) The Phantom goes on the kicker, the right or wrong amount makes a huge difference to boat speed, so a 16:1 would be preferable, BUT the wooden boats arent as stiff as the later Epoxy ones so winding on the kicker can just bend the boat. Stick with what you have for the time being and see how it pans out over time - have a read of the rigging guides as rake and kicker are your best friends from now on
2) 7mm Rooster antitanglesuperfandangled rope is/ has been the rope of choice, the anti tangle bit is the bonus. your hands will suffer for the first few weeks with any main sheet so if you cant MTFU then use gloves
. If you do get a new rope, make sure you wash it first as it will be slippery, which can be horrible for you but amusing for the punters watching on the foreshore! A decent ratchet block also helps.
If it has an aluminium boom its worth investing n a carbon version, partly due to less weight swinging about, but mainly because the carbon one hurts alot less when you smash it over the back of your head, you will at some point
.
If you are interested this years Nationals are at Highcliffe in September and there is a classic trophy for the 'woodies' [/salespitch].
Good luck and hopefully see you areound