The one thing I've found about agitation is when someone critiques you and you're bothered by it, it's usually true! If anything, you were straight forward, honest and, in my opinion, did what you could to save him a buck or two and (no pun intended) a boat load of headaches. If anything, he came away from this knowing that his ideas will most likely not be well recieved by the boating community without any personal experience or professional advise.
No, the sow's ear/silk purse thing does not have me. I've decided if I want a fast boat, I'll buy a fast boat, but to start I need something small. Looking at a West Wight Potter 19 (how I found the thread, actually) for starters, then depending on what insight I gain from trailer sailing, look at stepping up to a J Boat or something similar for coastal cruising (I really like the simplicity of the new J/108-109). I'm not in this to lose a fortune, only to gain a wealth of friends and memories and maybe win a race or two along the way.