First of all, a
full keel in no way makes a boat sturdier and stronger. I think if you had more esperience working on boats you would that your statement "we still have it in our heads that a full
keel makes the boat sturdier and stronger" is quite falacious. In fact, it would appear that you have purposely chosen 2 models of boats (The Almand 31 has a fin keel with post hung spade rudder) whose dubious construction make the case that a boat with a full keel is not necessarily stronger than a well constructed fin keeler. Both would generally be considered unsuitable for your long term goals in terms of build quality and seaworthiness.
As your experience would suggest, your initial sailing goals include areas that require a boat with a pretty wide range of sailing abilities. You will need good light air performance in Fla and the Bahamas, and good heavy air or rough
water performance crossing the Gulfstream and cruising the lower
Carribean. A bit of performance really helps in cruising the Bahamas because many of the
anchorages cannot be entered after dark and are pretty widely spaced. While you can
anchor over the Banks it generally makes for a pretty bumpy night.
Just as a point of contrast, the following are examples of boats that are both longish keel, and moderate fin keeled designs but which are better constructed and perhaps more suitable for your sailing goals than the choices that you mentioned.
Cal 34: While these are an older design, there are a lot of really clean ones out there and they seem to be ubiquidous in the areas where you are going. Any given example may need upgrading for your purposes but they can usually be bought
cheap enough to make them worth consideration.
Cape Dory 30: I am not all that big a fan of Cape Dory's myself, but they have a strong following and would be suitable for your needs. The 30 is a fin keel with attached
rudder that is generally marketed as a 'full keel' model.
CSY 33: Tough boats purpose built for the rigours of the
charter trades. Not the fastest sailors but reportedly good solid handling manners.
Niagara 31: These are very well constructed and excellent sailing boats. This would be right at the top of my list as ideal for what you are proposing except that they are a little short on
water and so will need additional tankage added.
Pearson 323: This model would probably be near the top of my list in terms of balancing all of your needs.
Sabre 30: Well constructed and nice performing. Available in a keel
centerboard model that would be a good boat for your purposes.
Seasprite 30: This is really a fin keel with an attached
rudder, but they were well constructed and sail reasonably well.
Tartan 33 (early 1980's) Scheel Keel model. These are a Sparkman and Stephens designed Fin keel Skeg hung rudder
sloop. They offer a bit more performance and ease of sailing at the
price of a slightly smaller
interior than some of the other. They were very well constructed and seem to hold up quite well.
Tartan 3000: Similar, smaller version to the Tartan 33.
Good luck,
Jeff