As this is aimed as a purchaser guideline, I have stayed with recognized models with substantial numbers from which to choose. It is not intended to slight owners of limited production or one-off boats who may feel their boats are the best on the market, but are rare to find. This is an educated opinion only and I am sure I will ruffle some feathers out there, but I am always up to a good verbal joust with another opinionated sailor. The list is based more on dollar investment than size, as it is my experience that buyers have more of a price range in mind than a specific size requirement when they go shopping. Sharks still generate a lot of excitement on the race course as one designs.
Older boats have problems with interior wood work and keel stiffeners.
Three to seven thousand dollars will buy you just about any Shark. At the low end, Tanzer 26 s are a good bet - the quarterberth is a feature everyone seems to want and sailing performance is above average. Excessive deck crazing is more a function of pulling parts out of the mold prematurely than signs of stress or deck deterioration. This is an early Bob Perry design, a good looking boat with above average sailing characteristics. Mirage glass work is always first class and the boat is spacious without looking boxy.