Your concerns about "additional maintenance/expense (like rebuilding/replacing hydraulic cylinders..." I think is unfounded. Over 12 years on two Skymasters I have never spent a penny on gear maintenance except for inspecting it at annual and one time when I changed the hoses. With you being an A&P, the issue is even less significant.
Just think about it. One suggestion: buy it, fly it for a while, and then decide.
Ernie
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