Great choice! Did you ever go to 'sailboatdata.com' to compare similar boats?
Gives you most information needed to compare among many boats.
I was in a similar situation as you some time ago and compared the
Island Packet ( my favorite choice among the many others), with the
Morgan Out Island 33.
The OI 33 being very similar to the IP; very well built heavy hand laid
hull, roomier than most any other
boat up to the 35's,
draft of less than 4 feet, long
keel with hung
rudder, comfortable motion at sea, large
diesel with
hydraulic steering and smooth
transmission, amazing
storage space, largest V-berth, simple sailing rig, easy
maintenance and to repair anything, wide uncluttered decks,....and a tremendous value at under $20k. The
price cost you pay is at resale time.
Most people repeat what they have heard...., that the Out Islands are slow and that they don't point well without actually trying them out.
OK, a bit slow compared to a very narrow fin
keel racer, ...yes, just a half of a
knot or so in light air or if trying to pinch the wind with older blown out
sails. The 50 HP
diesel will punch trough the slow goings to windward in a chop and charge the
batteries and make for a hot
shower at the best spot at the anchorage while you wait for the others.
Compare the
hull dimensions of the very nice IP you just bought, even the IP35 and will see how similar they are, yet, people do not consider the Island Packets to be as slow as the Out Islands.
You made a very nice choice, and it's prettier too, with very good joinery below. Congratulations, be safe and enjoy it!!.