Hello to all,
tybee..you have gotten some great advice from a terrific and knowledgable group of folks here. JeffH''s list is a particular well informed one and spans quite a spectrum from relatively light displacement race boats to moderately heavy aft cabin livaboards. Prices in the above list could range from 80-150k.
Just to round out the list I would throw in the Valiant 40, as it is a perenial favorite among long term, long distance cruisers.
Price will likely be your most limiting factor, it is for most people. If not...that is great.
Draft may or may not be a limiting factor...something you have to consider very seriously. I was quite familiar with my intended cruising grounds and knew that draft was an issue for me. That alone eliminated a lot of really good boats.
Those two issues decided, your hunt continues. I think next up is how you want to live on the boat: do you want to sleep in a forward vee berth or an aft cabin. And will you have many guests? Where do you want them to be sleeping?
After all that, I think it comes down to your philosophy as a sailor, whether you are into lighter, faster boats or is livaboard comfort most important to you. The Brewer 12.8 is a very good all around choice: pretty good turn of speed, nice aft cabin, plenty of tankage, nice galley and space in the cabin....but hard to find one in good shape under 150 or so. I do enjoy the speed, comfort and sea kindly motion of my Wauquiez Hood 38...and there is a $20k difference in price between the MK I and MK II (with the regular companionway, not the Baltic/swan style submarine hatch).
If you are going to be living aboard, think about how you will be using the space. How you will cook, navigate, pay bills, lounge down below, watch a movie, sleep in the cockpit etc. These things can really make a significant difference in your enjoyment of your lifestyle. There are a lot of small differences in boats, seat widths, length and widths of berths, cockpit benches etc...that are the difference between being comfortable there and not. Measure, try it out and compare.
Good luck in your search.
John
s/v Invictus
Hood 38