Thank you for your helpful and frank views.

So I don't end up with my 1000th post in one thread forgive me for adding things you didn't comment on.

From a strength point I personally think that the modern construction is very good for bad seas as they flex (even if the bulkheads don’t), some abandoned boats have gone on to sail the oceans.

The lightweight comments on build I have heard before, are relating to equipment, I have to say as an engineer I understand some of this on a few boats I've seen, but in the most IMO it is of a very good quality and very fit for purpose.
On both old and new boats I have also on occasion winced at under rated or badly placed/fitted gear.

I have heard a lot of friends comments regarding the problems of keel failures, but most appear to be talking about the same few instances, some of which are design issues (one I remember was re-worked against the designers recommendations), the Keel I think is a potential problem - if you run into anything, the long fin is likely to be better off, I tend to take the position if unsure either navigate clear or fit wheels.

The blade rudder is another Issue, I know of a full keel hung rudder type coming to grief and sinking because of rudder failure and seen the pic last week of a Hunter on the beach because the rudder fell out (both maintainance issues), I would prefer not venture too far in any boat without a backup rudder, thing is, does a blade effect the stability or comfort factor during normal conditions.

The light displacement boat floating over the waves compared to the heavy ploughing through them gives me a variation of comfort, while I see which one would be drier, I also see one cutting a groove, my opinion of the modern design is for what we as a family want, the better boat.