So what were the other boats, and what was the criteria?
Quick snapshot of criteria:
Starting with basic length idea of somewhere between 48-55'-ish, shorter being better. Unstated intention to be able to cruise mostly at "trawler speed" but also in the high 'teens or low 20's somewhere sometimes.
Electronic common-rail engines
Engine model years
Solid hull, at least below waterline
Wide beam (relatively)
Safe/easy access to foredeck
Shallow draft (relatively)
…Prop tunnels?? (for shallower draft)
Cockpit
Swim platform
Transom door
Stairs to flying bridge
Aft-positioned helm (and good aft visibility for docking stern-to)
Open front windshield
Hardtop
Mid-ship's master with walk-around household-height master berth
Dry head(s)/stall shower(s)
Horizontal sightlines from seated at dinette
Horizontal sightlines from seated in saloon
Good sightline to TV from seated at dinette
Pilothouse/lower helm station would be nice, not required
The master berth thing was the major driver for moving from what we had... which was a pretty decent boat. I just got tired of taking a flying leap to get on or off the island berth in the master (bow) stateroom. (Several times per night... sigh...)
That list was actually preceded by another list of boat brands that I would never consider. I won't mention those by name here, not polite to diss other folks' boats, but there are some 20-30 that I just wouldn't accept.
What we ended up with is longer than we wanted, and the styling (not mentioned above) is a bit too "swoopy" for my taste. Would have preferred more of a down east look, but that wasn't to be. (Couldn't afford a new 54 Sabre bridge boat.)
The other "almost" boat failed on horizontal sightlines from seated positions within the saloon or at the dinette... and also the dinette and the TV were on the same side of the boat so watching TV while eating would always have been a bit of a neck-turner... and finally, part of the front windshield was blocked by galley cabinetry.
Other "amidships master" boats that we rejected, often because too old (including mechanical engines), or forward mounted helm, or no front windshield:
Carver 530 Voyager 1998-2006
Carver 52 Voyager 2007-2009
Carver 570 Voyager 2001-2005
Carver 560 Voyager 2004-2009
Navigator 4800 Classic 1997-2010
Navigator 5100 Pilothouse 2006-2012
Navigator 53 Classic 1996-2005
Navigator 5400 2007
Navigator 56 Classic 1999-2005
Meridian 540 Pilothouse 2003-2006
Meridian 541 Sedan 2011-
Meridian 580 Pilothouse 2003-2009
Marquis 57 LS ...2007…
Ocean Alexander 52 Sedan 2005-2009
Ocean Alexander 548 Pilothouse 1998-2005
Sea Ray 540 Cockpit Motor Yacht 2001-2002
Tollycraft 57 CMPY 1989-1996
Viking 46 Convertible 1981-1985
Bertram 46 Convertible 1995-1997
Carver 450 Voyager 1999-2005
Chris Craft 482 Commander 1985-1988
Hampton 540-560 Sedan 2005-2007
Hampton 580 Pilothouse 2007-2011
Hatteras 45 Convertible 1989-1992
Hatteras 46 Convertible 1974-1981
Hatteras 50 Convertible 1991-1998
Hatteras 52 Convertible 1986-1990
Hatteras 60 Convertible 1977-1986
Navigator 4600
Navigator 50 Classic 1993-2002
West Bay 52 Sonship -1996
-Chris