The choice of boat is critical to the outcome of your cruising adventure. Inevitably it will be a compromise. We feel that our choice of Fuga has so far been borne out in practice. There are many factors to consider:
Get it right, and you will perhaps enjoy many happy years cruising. Get it wrong, and the experience could be a short one. We are saying goodbye to friends, who having cruised over many years, are not going to sail any further together. The reason is that the their new boat, a very much down sized catamaran with few comforts, is simply too uncomfortable and too marginal. The last boat, also a cat, was too big!
If you want to cruise estuaries and inland rivers and canals, draught is an issue. If you are sailing to the extremes, then insulation and equipment is paramount. Sailing as a couple, then you must be able to handle the boat without too much difficulty: 11 to 14 metres is about right, unless you instal bowthrusters etc.
Your budget is also important. We exceeded ours, and it is difficult not to do so! This applies not only to the initial set up costs, but is also reflected in the running costs including berthing, insurance, and repairs and renewals. 12 metres is invariably at the breakpoint between moderate berthing costs, and higher costs for the larger boats.