Sorry if a comment leads this thread astray a bit, but when we were shopping for a year (!) to replace our 26 footer, we started out looking for a 30 to 32 footer. The more we looked the more we figured out that length is a poor arbiter of "size" and that waterline and displacement were more important to determine speed and capability. i.e. a 9K displacement boat can be any length from 29 to 33 feet, depending on how it was designed and built.
Turned down a great 'deal' on an O'Day 30, thank goodness, and had an offer rejected on an E-32-200. Then found the O-34, and like fable about the three bears and the pourage, it was and is .... just right.
One problem that we did not have was finding a slip for our next boat, at least within reason, being members of an inexpensive YC with its own moorage.
So, while a 34 out 35 footer may seem large now, once you get used to it, it will not. Nothing wrong with your staying the course, but do not be too concerned about LOA. As the NA Bob Perry once observed about boat shopping, buy the smallest boat that meets your real needs, but then buy all of the waterline length that you can.
And, look for sailing speed and handling..... that's where a King-designed Ericson really out classes the cheap-a__ production boats.
Might even consider a partnership in SoCal.
