We purchased a Bayliner 2655 which was the actual LWL dimension when they were measuring boats that way. It was actually 30'+ LOA with almost a 10' beam. Nicely equipped from the factory, lightly used. It's funny that you describe the coasting of a sailboat with a rudder because that's exactly what I did. That I/O makes a lousy rudder. The boat is much more like driving a forklift with the steering wheels in the rear so you are using the I/O to either push or pull the back of the boat in the direction you want to go, not very good for close quarter maneuvering. I found that it was easier to make the boat go where I wanted in reverse because the prop would pull you in the direction you wanted to go. Fenders are your friend.