Hello from a prospective owner

Take a look at a 48' Fountain Sport Cruiser, it's fast and might have the outdoor layout you're looking for.

Very valid concern. This is why I've cautioned buyers for years against buying boats with limited local networks.
I am thoroughly impressed with Formula, and currently run a 40PC for private use and day charter. Solid, good handling boats with a good dealer network. Personally, I prefer the PC over the SS as it's more spacious, but that's a matter of taste. The SS is considerably faster, but fuel consumption goes with that speed. You'll also find many SS with gas instead of diesel. I prefer diesel on a boat this size. In a pinch the 40PC can handle your crew for sleeping as the aft salon is sleep-able and the (2) cockpit table also form a sleep-able area. At least in my area, the dealer's representing Formula are top notch.
Sea Ray is of slightly less quality build IMO, but they have the most extensive dealer network of any manufacturer.
In either case DON'T just go to your local dealer. Check yachtworld. There are a lot of both brands for sale. When we were looking for our 40PC YW had over 25 boats worth considering locally. We quickly narrowed that down to 2 and then 1 although we kept both possibilities on the table for negotiating purposes.

I agree with most of this and I also take care of a 48' Formula, which is a good boat, but over-engineered (too much stuff added to it that's un-necessary) driving up the cost of maintaining it. However, they're a nice boat but some of the older ones 2005-2008 (give or take) had the issue with the milky interior wood. Most Formula's are not well maintained, I think because they're more of a small boat company and the owners are small boat owners that traded up, and they don't hire someone to maintain the boat. Some are well kept though.

As for the Fountain, they built a very strong boat and well engineered. I've never heard of them having structural issues with the hulls. I wouldn't be afraid of it. Other than structural issues, there is no additional support on a used boat. The 48' runs like a raped ape and is VERY fuel efficient at cruise. and rides very good at speed due to it's raceboat heritage. I think it gets 1.5 MPG at 40 knots. It has a very nice layout and very nice interior.

Searay builds a good quality boat (not great) at a good price. I've never seen structual issues with any of them and manage a 1991 50' and have for almost a decade. There was a bout in the late 90's where they used Balsa coring, and had issues with those, and would stay away from that series. Aside from that, they're a simple boat when it comes to systems which make them easy to maintain and run. I would also envison your usage when not running the yacht, are you the type that likes to eat on board, sit on the aft deck, anchor overnight, and how the boat fits into that. The searays usually have a pretty good layout (however some models have too many steps throughout the interior such as the 58' SB).

As for the 48' Sunseeker, I'd steer clear. Average quality, very high maintanence, and just an odd boat in their line-up. I'd also steer clear of gas boats in anything above 30-35'. Too overworked, too un-reliable, and just way too many parts to fail from spark, to fuel, to exhaust manifolds, to overheating. Everything on gas inboards is not overbuilt or marginal, and the ones I've managed have ALWAYS had issues constantly.

Az?

I know I'm probably about to catch some grief for this suggestion but you may want to take a look at the Azimut 55's while you're at it. It can be within your price range, many have CAT power and a flybridge and interior layout that makes it a very versatile boat. My girlfriend (who should probably now be an ex for the comment) said while she liked our boats, she liked that one even better!

I build custom yachts but recently did some refit work for another forum member on here on his "new to him" AZ 55 and I have to say there were a lot of aspects of that boat that make it an attractive option. They obviously put a lot of thought into designing a boat that sounds like it fits the goals you have expressed. AZ's do have some reputation for somewhat "different" electrical and mechanical systems, and I have seen firsthand many things boats built on this siide of the pond would do differently but they are not anything that can't be fixed and "upgraded" to US standards.

Myself and my crew spent a couple months going through every inch and system of the boat and I ran her in fairly heavy seas so I can safely say I know her pretty well and didn't see anything that would scare me off. At this point in life I'm not looking for that style of boat but if I was, and still have the same girlfriend , I might consider buying one rather than wait for one to be built.

I've run many of the boats mentioned previously and agree all have good and bad points but all things considered I would now have to add that boat into the consideration list. OK Guys, blast away!

Nortech and Outerlimits both make very nice high performance diesel powered boats. Not sure if thats the route you are considering at this point, but maybe worth a look. On another forum theres a guy with a screen name of Bob the boat builder or bob the builder.... something like that, takes these diesel powered sport boats on very long trips thru the bahamas Florida etc.

Inline with earlier posts, I would stay clear of the SunSeekers. They look neat, look like a great layout but appear to be the Land Rover of the boat world. Basically who cares how great the layout is if the **** thing can't get out of the ship yard.

Both Formula's and Fountains are well built and I wouldn't hesitate to buy either one if either had the "wow factor" for you.

Regal also makes a pretty good boat that runs pretty good. I used to manage a '43, but we had a blister problem on a 4yr old boat with their "lifetime hull warranty". It had pea sized blisters every inch, on every square inch of the bottom. I didn't like the way the company handled it. They offered to fix the bottom for free if we ran it to a yard in St. Augustine (from Ft. Laud and at a cost of $4k+ for fuel and expenses round trip) which the owner declined. So then they offered to pay about 40% of the peel job, and we had it done at a yard here in Fort Laud. When they should've stepped up to the plate and paid the full amount of the proper peel job. So I'm hesitant to recommend them.

Searay is a good choice if they appeal to you. I've managed 4 different Azimuts and have always found them to be VERY maintanence heavy between their lower quality gelcoat, electrical and mechanical issues, but all in all they're not a bad boat. A sportfish express might fill your bill as well without a tower or outriggers.

Another option at your price point is an older Hatteras MY, like a late 90's 52' MY. A little slower, but built like a tank and comfortable. I'd hate to say this, but most of the newer yachts really lose out on the comfortable factor. The older Hatteras' with their heavy thick interiors and heavy hulls, were just quiet to sleep on, and the weight of the boat cut down on rocking, and I always sleep like a rock on them compared to a lot of the newer yachts.

Honestly, if you could swing it. I think the Neptunus 55' is a wonderful choice. I've done many trips through the Bahamas all the way down to the Exumas on 2 different ones. The boats always performed well and we very comfortable for 5 people on it for 10 days straight. Nice riding, fast enough 25 knot cruise, and just a good all around boat. They're also easy to maintain and work on compared to say an engine room in a Azimut or Viking SC (the latter I can't even fit in some places and I'm 6'3 and 230lbs) They're a really good all purpose boat, and of that style of boat, probably my favorite and I've done a lot of trips on a lot of different yachts.

And there you have it in a nutshell.

Yeah, except Regal has a very large dealer network. INCLUDING Sundance Marine that has a boat yard right here in Fort Lauderdale that Regal could've had fix it. They just had no interest in paying for it. We went back and forth with them for months.

The right boat is the one that suit yout needs. Best of luck.