Thanks Dirk! And Tom, everyone really. This is just the kind of advice I was hoping for. I'd really like to have a carbon mast, but feel more comfortable with the Boyer platform. Haven't seen the Bimare yet, supposedly well cared for. I do want a mast that a good sail can be built for, and would love to be able to be downstream of you racers who are willing to part with lightly used sails. So the aluminum mast is a concern. And I'd like to travel with the boat some, so the lighter weight of the carbon mast is also preferable. It's not apparent to me at this time whether I'm likely to find an affordable carbon mast within the next couple of years when I might want to upgrade. I have been watching the usca site for about 6 months, and there just haven't been that many boats in my price range, out west. So advice to be patient seems wise, though difficult to follow. Haven't been sailing since October, and the thought of a fun new boat to play with keep me vibrating!
Tom, I PM'd you. Thanks everyone!

Dave