OK, here's my 2 cents. You really should make some comparisons about the two boats you are considering, but maybe you don't know which questions to ask or ponder about.
Besides price (and there is usually a reason why one price is lower for one boat in comparison to another), consider these things:
1. Size of the engine and how it will accomodate you in the type of waters you will be sailing in. Sometimes a manufacture will keep the initial base price quite low upon a casual looksy, but then you will find the horsepower is lower than a competing brand and often they will offer an engine upgrade for more money which might give you the same horsepower or near to that of the other brand you are considering.
2. Consider the gear on the boats. How many winches on each brand? Are there inboard genoa tracks. Some boats offer a fractional rig and a smaller 135% genoa. But, if you wanted to add a 150% genoa for those light aired days, will the deck hardware accommodate the larger headsail? Often not in one brand, but yes in another. And, if you say, well, I can always add them.....look at the deck and see where you would install the longer tracks and how does other deck hardware like lifeline stanchions interfere with this task....and, where do you route the new sheets from the new genoa car locations so that you get a fair lead to the primary winch so you will not have any overrides. Do you need to add a foot block? If there is a place for one, can you through bolt it and get to the underside to get at nuts? Does both boats have travelers, or is one an option? If it has the option, then on a used boat there is no further issue except where it is located. On an arch? Oh, the boat must not have a backstay. And what sort of gain do you get with a traveler on the arch in comparison to in front of the helm, or over the companionway hatch or on the bridge deck? And, what about having a boat without a backstay? Must mean it has a B&G rig with far reaching spreaders sticking aft (swept back) to triangulate the mast enough to eliminate the backstay. Is this safe? Depends on your conditions. Can you sail dead down wind? Probably not...but, then do you need to? It is faster to gybe downwind anyway, you might say. Well, I can think of times where I need to sail down wind and don't have room to gybe downwind because the channel is too narrow. Drop the main? I like to sail. Many fractional rigs have smaller headsails that make for easier tacking. That is a good thing. But they are bent on tapered masts that are designed to be bent back in heavier air with a backstay adjuster. Don't have a backstay? Then you don't have an adjuster.
3. Cabins. Many modern boats are built with incredibly huge and beautiful cabins now adays. That is great if you want a cabin on the water, that sort of sails. Depends on your priority. Really good sailing boats can have some very nice interiors, but usually not cavernous. Like thwart aft cabin berths? They can be nice, but then do you mind crawling over your mate to hit the head in the middle of the night? And, what does that do to the cockpit storage? Often it leaves you with one or two shallow lockers suitable enough for winch handles and small stuff, but can you put a bucket or extra anchor, or a sail bag, or anything sizeable in one? What sort of accommodations does the boat have to suit your family? Enough berths and long enough? Is the head big enough?
4. What is the boat's interior made of? Solid hardwood? Marine grade plywood hardwood veniers? Or manufactured pressed wood with paper simulated wood grain glued on? This has a big bearing on boat values and prices and longevity of interiors and if they stand up to abuse.
5. Can you get at all the systems? If you need to replace electrical wiring, or burst a hose, can you unscrew or lift a panel to gain access to these things? That includes the inside corner of the hull to deck joint where wires may run, floor boards (fiberglass pan?), under berths (if you had to replace a tank could you? - Or do you have to cut fiberglass to get it out?). Can you get at the fasteners of all deck fittings? One day they will leak and you must recaulk them.
6. Windows. Do they open? Or are they so huge that they must be custom made to replace? No cross ventilation? Too big to withstand heavy seas? Potential to leak? Light enough in cabin?
7. Cabin safety: Handrails? Things to hold on to that won't break in those tough conditions? If you fall into the table (if center mounted) will you knock it over or will it stop you from falling further?
8. Engine: Good access? Are filters, dipsticks, etc. easy to get at for checking and changing? Or do you need to hire a child to find them? Is the fuel capacity enough to get you where you need to go between fill ups? Sail drive or shaft? Know the differences and advantages of each.
9. Galley and head tankage. Enough for how long you will be gone on board for cruises? Are there pumps for each function, or are there manifold valves connecting different jobs to one pump (means you have to shut all but the one you want to use for it to work). It is good to have a pump for each task, I think.
10. Mast support....can you see where all the shrouds attach to the hull or bulkheads to determine if there is any deterioration down the road? Or do you have to take the boat apart to access this sort of thing?
I really can go on and on, but I think you know that there are a lot of things to think about besides if the cushions are the right color, or if the price is right. It might be right, but then you find you have something you really don't appreciate or it doesn't accommodate your needs, or the thing won't tack unless you turn on the motor, or it won't point, or this or that.
