Surface TWR of 1.53@kerbin isn't going to get you off the ground on Eve, sorry but i don't think your 16 mainsail ship is going to get off the ground until it expends so much fuel that it doesn't get back into orbit. Delta-V isn't the only value you have to watch when you try to launch from eve, you have to watch your TWR as well. As for dumping chutes and landing gear, this is because its much easier to get a light ship into orbit.