Which boat to buy?

Hi all, I am actively looking for my next boat in the 42-44 ft range. My dilemma is: For my budget, I can buy a fairly current model year like a 2002 Bayliner or Sea Ray Etc. or for similar money buy an older Grand banks or Hatteras etc that will probably need refit. So , go for current technology {engines, electronics etc} or , go for the older boat of known quality..?
Any opinions appreciated!

Thanks, Gary

 

Another example might be better, you're saying a newer sedan or cuddy cruiser or a trawler. Vastly different boats from planning to semi or displacement.

What do you want to do?

 

I generally travel in the slow lane.. I realize the boats are different types but we typically go slow with our present boat {36 SeaRay}. I live in the PNW and our typical week of boating will see 3 or 4 anchorages but only 20 or 30 miles of travel.

Gary

 

Gary:

I guess you know: Break Out Another Thousand.

Buy the best boat you can afford,as it always costs you 50% more than you think it will to fix things.
Its a buyer's market right now.

I have gone for the speed capability,I can dawdle along at 8-9 knots,but then instead of (like the trawlers) waiting around for hours/or getting up at 5 am for the tides to be favourable,I just open the throttle for 2 minutes.

There's another guy from the area

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/best-design-liveaboard-41380.html