RJ - I'm not really sure what a Whaler Squall is - although I think that I may have one.
9' 6", center board with handle lever (closed box), center seat across the box. Aft seat with hinged cover (partial), transom has metal housing for insert of
rudder pintle. Does that sound like it?
If so, great all around sailing
dinghy. Originally designed with lanteen sail. I've changed mine to marconi. Bought a length of irrigation pipe and cut it down to about 12'. A 5' piece of alum. tubing for the boom with a small goose neck fitting - also installed a track on the boom for the goose neck. The real problem with this boat, is the
rudder. The piece that attaches to the rudder and fits into the
single gudgeon on the transom lip.
As Gord says, for just a sailing starter, the Sunfish is your best bet - and also, as he says, the parts for it will be easier to find.
As for
cleaning - shrug - depends on what has cruded up the boat. Probably a lot of
elbow grease, and then some
paint to spruce it up.
Have fun!