In addition to Steady's comments, it's always worth doing a general online search on perspective candidate boat designs. Including one looking for
reviews on the design, & another searching for problems common to them.
A few other good tools are to look up a boat's
racing rating in order to get an idea of her speed as compared to other boats. For example, her PHRF rating. Which compares her speed vs. other boats in seconds per mile on an "average"
race course covering all points of sail. Such as are found here
PHRF New England - Handicapping - Base Handicaps
Plus, given her design, you may want to check on
www.bluewaterboats.org And while in this case that design isn't there, it's still a great resource site. To include the fact that it gives your other suggestions for similar boats to check out.
Also, go to
www.Mahina.com as they help match people with boats, professionally. And have a posted list of boats which make good cruisers.
The Atom Voyages is another site to visit for tips on small cruising designs.
And there are others. I put together a
DIY boatbuying self-education "Sticky", & while it's unpolished, & not fully finished, there's loads of good info in it, which you can find here
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2206710
Good luck!