Santa Cruz 27 vs Merit 25

[smo]

here's a couple boats on my short list for a saoboat for my retirement in 2 years. I'd like to singlehand on the great lakes with some lake crossings and possibly the singlehanded chicago-mac down the road

Both boats have done some impressive singlehanded passages
the stories of a santa cruz 27 doing 20 knots is equally impressive

can the merit expect similar figures albeit somewhat slower due to 2 feet shorter and just a hundred pounds lighter?
would one boat be a better choice?