Leopard 45 vs. sunsail 454 ?

[alieboot]

I am retiring in 1.5 yrs +or- so we are considering buying a Sunsail 454 keep it in their program in St. Lucia (no way BVI). add additional solar and watermaker after.. Or purchase a striped Leopard 45 and install our own genny, a/c ,watermaker and solar. So far we have heard strange things like Sunsail will have thinner glass in hulls Etc. We also received some good advice from others. Financially as we are both captains and plan to do chartering as well as liveaboard w/this vessel. We would like some owners that have done both or either to share their Experience on this 500K plus decision. Please feel free to share we are good students lol
Mike and Alyce