I don't see anything wrong with your location, Jack. Should get decent air flow and it's tucked up where it's not going to be seen in the normal view.

On the interior, if you're taking it to a shop as opposed to doing any of it yourself then I'd just take it as it is and let the interior guy figure out where he wants/needs additional wood bonded in. I took out the top bows on mine and used the molded insert that N&N offered, but I'd leave that to the guy doing the stitching, too. The other option might be to take it to the guy you've chosen and have him road map the wood that needs to be added, then take it home and do that part yourself? Depends on how much you want to do vs just having it done.