[mcain]

Duane, I highly agree with you. I too highly value Jeff and Jack''s opinions--they are among the most thoughtful and experienced people on this or any other net--and all of us benefit from the time they spend here.
However, all boats are compromises among highly conflicting requirements. While at anchor or a marina, you want a large boat with complex systems for comfort. During maintenance periods, a simple boat is best. While kedging off a sandbar, a lightweight boat is better. While offshore, a seakindly boat is needed. And above all else is money.
An very experienced friend of mine, with 25 years of sailing experience and quite a bit of offshore and cruising time selected the E37 as his boat of choice--again balancing all of these factors. Was it the best choice? Maybe yes, maybe no, but for him, with his reasons and his eyes open, it worked.
Most important of all is for the buyer to get as much experience as he can with various boats. To identify, as much as possible, his requirements for the boat--even write them down. Offshore? Daysailing? Cruising? Island-hopping? Marina Happy Hours? Working on the boat (therapy!)? Bays, ocean, lake? What percentage is each? Which is more important? Who else is going to be on the boat and for how much of the time? Is it a couple, family, entertaining, single-handing? From these requirements, you can develop a profile of the characteristics of the "ideal" boat, then start selecting among actual boats out there. And then survey the final selection.
And above all else--seldom talked about--is emotion. Most important is that just looking at "Your Boat" should make you feel great. Sailing "Your Boat" through a harbor should swell the heart and gladden your day. Sounds corny, but we get boats for the love of it. Its tons cheaper and easier to stay on land. For a $400 plane fare you can get to any island in the Caribbean. So, do the requirements, develop ideal characteristics, research available boats, get a good survey of the final choice, but above all else, feel the joy of it.
Peace.