The First won't suffer from any of these problems.

I've never sailed on a Catalina, so I cannot offer a comparison.

Here in the states, Beneteau is considered a weak boat. Talk to surveyors and
full service yards, get feedback on repair records. The Beneteau scores poorly.
The Catalina 30 is much more of a family boat. And older reliable Catalina 30
can be found for 15-20K. The interior is huge by any standard and the cockpit
is well done. A wheel is also much for fun for the kids and and guests. No one
says my C&C's wheel has poor feedback. It has less than a tiller, but you
adjust to it and the wheel has too many other advantages, especially with kids
on board.
Other boats to consider: C&C 29 (80's version), Pearson 30, Tartan 30...there
are a lot of boats out there.

RB