With a young family, a powerboat is more accomodating as it has more space for the friends kids always want to bring along. So from the mid 70s to late in the 80s I did have power cruisers and we did several very enjoyable family cruises...until they got to be teenagers and grew older! Then they did not care for boating altogether anymore. So I sold the powerboat and got back into sailing. By myself, without the kids or even without my wife who also decided she did not want to boat anymore. Fortunately she understood my passion and still does. Sad to say that I've sailed...and cruised... mostly by myself for several years now because of that. The passion is still very much alive and I keep on sailing as much as I can. Good luck to you in your future plans with the kids. Enjoy it while it lasts as they'll grow up and want out sooner or later.
Last minute edition: I should add that my 2 kids now in their 50 now enjoy boating very much. My son lives in the rockies and has his own boat and my daughter and son-in-law come sailing with me as much as their schedule allows them. life is good !
