We just started in July. We purchased a very high quality American Heritage 45E.
As a professional yacht captain, I've seen millions of dollars wasted as clients bought small and "inched up" in size until they finall got the yacht they really should have purchased initally. The other mistake I see often is buying something which APPEARS to offer the same thing as another brand at a much lower price. Nobody can REALLY do this, so don't fall for it.
Remember, as in anything else, quality matters and it costs more...initially at least. With a high line brand you will get higher quality, better components, and features you may not even appreciate until you use them...for example, heated floors, multiple high power pure sine wave inverters, central vacuum, dishwasher, washer/ dryer, etc.
Last, don't buy a new unit. Used is best in this rapid depreciation environment.
All the Best,
Stan