She certainly wasn't my first boat, but all prior boats were motorized
skiffs and little tiny sailboats etc..

Many years ago, when I was younger, stronger, and a lot more agile, I found
a good buy on a 27 foot Catalina Sailboat. The first trip out on my own,
after the sea trial....... ( DON'T BUY A BIG BOAT WITHOUT A SEA TRIAL, AND
BE SURE YOU CAN GET YOUR MONEY BACK IF YOU DON'T LIKE HER).... I felt like I
was steering a 27 foot long car, standing in the trunk! After I got that
out of my mind, I went on to totally enjoy the size, smoothness and pleasure
of a boat that didn't bounce on every little wave. I single handed her most
of the time. In fact, when other people were aboard is when we had more
problems than when I took her out solo.

True, she was a sailboat, but my most exciting times always came when I was
trying to dock her, ALWAYS BY MYSELF, with a 30 hp Atomic Four engine. It
liked to quit just when I needed it the most. Lots of fenders; a verrrrry
slooooow approach to the docks; some common sense regarding winds and
direction; a boat-hook in hand at all times; and she went through her life
with me unscathed.

My real question would be,...what do you want to do on a boat? The time
spent below is normally limited. Below, of course, is where the height is an
advantage. I'm 6'2 so I feel your pain. All that said, I spent 98% of my
time on deck, and 2% down below. I almost bought a bigger (33 feet) boat
because of her beautiful interior and spacious accommodations. I came to my
senses when I realized it would just cost me more to put her into a slip;
bottom jobs; etc. My then present boat was doing everything that I needed
at the time.

Big is beautiful; size does matter...but if you've never owned a boat, you
would be a rarity to know what you want the first time through. Hell, I'm in
my mid 60's; have owned 20 or more boats; and still change a boat out every
few years for something bigger; smaller; faster; slower; easier to tow,,,
etc. etc... I own two flats boats right now, both are little more than half
of the size of the 27 Catalina. My needs and desires have changed.

regards, RichG