I would be more than willing to try Vg's. I have a pretty straight and well constructed -9a by an AME, and it seems to have the elevator stall slightly before the wing. Elevators on low-wing aircraft tend to live in a very turbulent airflow, and anything that will keep the flow attached would be a good thing, both for elevator and rudder authority.
For me, it's not how slow do you want to go, it's having a margin of safety when the headwind suddenly goes away below the trees, and you are sinking toward the ground. I'll take another 5 knot margin of flying speed any day over 2 knots of top end.....you can get that back by waxing! ( the plane, guys!)
Perry