Departing a bit from ABfish's criteria, an aft cabin is not necessarily out of play for us, keeping the MS43 in play. ... Like the OP, we like our outdoor space, so the MS43 is not at the top of the list.
As much as I hate to admit it, another model/mfg. has caught our eye: the Meridian 408/411/459. I know, they're not trawlers... and yes, they do look something like a floating bleach bottle.
KMAl
I was thinking the same regarding Meridian. I'd go a step further, if one is thinking Mainship 400 then SeaRay and Carver are comps as well.
I'll assume you were joking. Sea Ray and Carver never crossed our minds. Not once. And no, the Meridian is not a comp to the Mainship.
KMA and I are on the same page- the Mainship 430 is a lot of boat for the money, and the space and quiet in the aft cabin are alluring, but....a covered cockpit is too important for me. I rented a Willard 36 this summer, and the covered "back porch" on the Willard is the best feature of the boat. We spent many hours there, both at the dock and at anchor. When it was raining, or the sun was blazing, the covered cockpit was the favorite hangout.
I get the "semi-equivalency" idea about the Meridian/Sea Ray/Carver/etc. That should also open the door to Silverton, Cruisers, etc... Not at all the same style of boat, but... can be functional, can be driven slowly, etc.
A common difference when comparing something like the Mainship 430 and our boat (and those others) is... the Mainship has better side decks, and our saloon interior is wider. Both were on our shortlist of three (MS400 was the third) and wifey chose beamier interior. I'd have chosen the 430, for the lower station and the side doors, but then all I do is drive, she deals with inside stuff.
Anyway, if you're considering those particular Meridians, you might also have a look at the Silverton 372/392MY (same boats), the 43MY, and the 410 and 430 Sport Bridge models. Although the former have covered aft decks and no cockpit, you might benefit from the comparison of inner spaces. The latter, OTOH, have extended bridges and cockpits.
FWIW, we have a cockpit... and use it only very occasionally. OTOH, we spend 95% of our outdoor time on the flying bridge... and that could very well be the case with a 430, a 400, a 34T, a Sea Ray, a Meridian, a Carver, etc... I like having the cockpit, wouldn't be without one, but... it's mostly just the pathway to the saloon. The flybridge, OTOH, is the centerpiece of the boat: great visibility, easy access (stairs, not a ladder), plenty o' space, load-bearing hardtop, etc.
Back to the MS430, 400, 34T... I'd wager a cup o' joe that you wouldn't use the cockpit as often as the bridge.
-Chris