For the cost of a cruising catamaran, you are probably approaching this just right. After getting lots of opinions and reading everything you can find, you might also consider chartering a boat or two, that end up in your final list of the top two or three and spend a few days or a week on it before you actually decide.

On the other hand, I've found any cat sails and cruises beter than my desk or the computer on it and is lots more fun in the tropical sun and breeses available.

Good luck and for us that are presently snow bound and land locked for the winter, it would be interesting to have you keep us advised of what you're finding and learning along the way, to your possible purchase.