[svsirius]

I would look for boats that have well established ratings in your area and ideally enough boats for one design where you will race. Most racer cruisers have a finite life and the more race they are the more finite that lifespan. A lot of race boats are raced hard and put away wet and that leads to deck core issues etc. Some boats like the Express are built to a high quality level but they are much harder to find. For racing I was at the point before I sold my Frers 36 that I was convinced one design was the only way to go for as it becomes more a sailors game than a money game. As the boats get larger and faster, having the best sails, bottom, etc really matters. Of course you have to pull a great crew together as well.

Good luck and have fun.