Kevin,
Depending on where you want to sail, we have found our deep draft 46 is really not an issue. We have cruised much of the US East Coast from Fl to NYC, Hudson River to Lake Champlain, the Bahamas and the Caribbean from BVI to Carriacou. The only place where we felt restricted was in the Florida Keys and in the Abacos.
Our prior boat was a 41 foot shoal draft and we sold it due to to poor upwind performance and bought the Hylas 46. The performance of our boat is as good or better than I ever expected and when you really MUST go to windward the boat gives good speed, pointing ability and comfort.
We really do not miss our old shoal draft for even one minute!
Cheers
Merrill and Maryse
S/V Ambition H46 #40