I've been looking at used boats since I sold mine last September. I've
settled on two boats but I'm having a tough time deciding between the two.
Price, age, engine size, hp, hours etc. Both boats are almost identical
EXCEPT one is an aft cabin and the other is a mid cabin. I need some good
advice here.

We are a family of six, 3 boys, 1girl. Privacy is an issue with my daughter
(14 yrs old) and would probably bring a girlfriend along occasionally. The
boys (ages 15, 10 and 3) would sleep anywhere but also need to allow my
daughter to her privacy.

The aft cabin affords add'l space in that the cabin is roomier - two heads,
two staterooms, bigger fridge, more space in the salon area. However, I've
heard negatives about the handling of this vessel. mainly that its height
(15'8") compared to its draft (38") renders this boat more as a weekend
condo tied to a slip when the seas or the wind kicks up.

The mid cabin, a Sundancer, gives us a little less room below but a smoother
ride (or so I'm told) due to the overall height relationship with the beam
and draft. This boat, with the camper canvass, still provides us enough room
and privacy but we would be a bit more cramped.

We plan to do Lake Michigan cruising that includes lake crossings and day
trips up and down the shoreline to various harbors on the lake. We also
would like to entertain on the boat, adults and other families with their
children. My sons and I do some fishing and the aft cabin puts us a little
far away from the water line but this isn't a critical issue. I'm sure we
can work this out.

Any advice would be welcome.

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