Seems to be a trend in plate boats in the last ten years or so to make as "big" a boat as you can for the length.Some of these things are near as wide as they are long. All the good design principles go out the door when you start doing this stuff--people want high freeboard, but they also want a self draining deck, so the COG gets high, which never helps in any situation. Then they want beam, for deck space,and "stability" but that comes at a cost. You simply cannot design a good hull that has to transition from a nice entry to a wide beam over a short distance, as so many of these 5.5 metre boats seem to be trying to do. So you get a hard ride, and maybe also following sea issues as well. I certainly wouldn't be swapping a pretty good hull for a shorter platey, I think you will really regret it.