Hi Sailors

I am sure this type of question is one of those that has been done to death, but I am a first time poster and not that experienced with sailing, so please bear with me...

Am looking at buying my first keeler yacht with the idea being to take the family, (wife and three daughters 12, 10 & 7) coastal cruising along the Queensland coast as I am now based in Rocky with work. I have a limited budget of around 40k but could spend another 10-15 on it over 12 months. Now I am not planning any passages but my way of thinking is to get a design that is able to just in case you do hit any nasty weather that the family is safe.

In my quest so far I have identified a few that on the surface seems to fit the bill from design and dollar point and was hoping I could ask you more experienced yachtsmen to steer me in the right direction.

S&S 34
Cavalier 32
Swanson 32
East Coast 31
Cole Bounty 35
Van de Stadt 34

All similiar priced but not sure if I should eliminate any particular design or medium (the VDS 34 is steel) One of the criteria I would like is for it to be able to be saved singled handed as my wife and kids are not based in Rocky so when I have a day off here and there I would like to take for a short sail when possible.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

PS I have been reading the forum for about a month and really enjoy it and has been a wealth of knowledge.

Many thanks

Novaoz