[Tom3]

You said:

I''ve discounted a Folkboat because of the wood (weaker than GRP and needs more attention).

The assumption that wood is weaker than GRP is not a safe one where boats are concerned. Some wood construction is much stronger than some GRP, some is much weaker, the key is the construction. Wood is more maintainance and if you don''t know anything about wood it can be duanting. On the other hand fiberglass can be even more difficult to maintain and at your budget you are likely to be buying some maintainance work.

I suggest looking at some traditional designs as they may fill all of your criteria better than a production boat and may be a better buy as well. There are a lot of good sailing designs that came out of fishing and cargo delivery before the end of working sail that fit your description.

Also read what Jeff_H says closely his advice is very good though biased towards the modern.

Good luck