I'd be concerned about the leaks, too. You just don't know what damage it did until you find out--often too late. While you love the 26' I would agree with others that you might find yourself getting really claustrophobic when you end up have to be in it for a week of rain or cold weather. I'm usually not one of the bigger is better people but we full-timed in a 32' fiver with one dog and it could even get small after while--and it's not near as big as most buy!
On the other hand if you buy what you love, it's probably not that expensive and you can always buy another one. Very few of us get it right the first time!