What is the best Catamaran to cruise and retire on?

[kryg]

I’m a monohull sailor, so I fully understand the need to get to windward. This request is for two good friends of mine, who are in fact also mono hull experienced sailors. Possibly because I’m older and I have a beard, they ask me an important life-changing question for which I have no practical experience, only monohull chatter to draw on.
And that is; What is the best Catamaran to cruise and retire on?
I’m looking to receive some independent feedback from the cruising form to draw on the best catamarans to consider say around 50’ which will give them enjoyment and keep them out of trouble. My outreach to the cat community is my attempt to help them not make an expensive error in buying a bad performing unsafe catamaran, which looks good in the harbor but not traversing oceans.
Thank you ahead of time, for your input and considerations.

[Thalas]

There's no one RIGHT boat, but it largely depends on what they mean by "cruise and retire."

If they want to tool around the Caribbean, Flybridge or Sugar Scoop helms are a perfectly fine option. If they intend to do more bluewater cruising, I would strongly encourage a raised helm attached to the cockpit over either of those options.

What is their budget and how do they prioritize the Cost/Performance/Comfort triangle? I personally find the FP Saona 47 a great combo of comfort (and lots of toys on board) while still performing OK for a fair price for what you get. Do I wish it had a carbon hull and foam core furniture? Sure. But I like toys and Outremers quickly respond negatively to too much additional weight.

Do they want a platform for lots of visitors? Leopard and Lagoon probably have better solutions for straight up surface area for entertaining and privacy.

Put in some parameters and I bet you'll get some more informed responses.

[clownfishsydney]

The biggest you can afford but still handle with the expected crew.