Wardie - lots of good comments and advice here. I agree with those who say that one's choice should be guided by what sort of paddling you expect to be doing most of the time, your level of fitness and technique, and how much paddling you expect to be doing. Among other things - like cost.
As you are certainly aware, there are uncounted numbers of boats out there, and each is at least a little different from the others. The characteristics of each boat will make it more or less suited to a particular set of paddling circumstances and paddlers.
Ideally, one would like to be able to "test paddle" a whole bunch, since the only way to be sure how a boat will feel to you, handle for you, is to actually paddle it. There are a number of events held in the spring and early summer within a few hundred miles of our area where one can do exactly that. Manufacturers gather with demo models of their craft for folks to try out side-by-side with others. The paddling magazines will have ads for these events as they appear on the horizon.
There is one such event here in west PA. It is Wind & Water Boatworks' (Butler PA) "Paddlefest" which is held at Moraine State Park. This year's date is May 13 (Friday). The website will have info on which manufacturuers will be attending and other details.
www.windnwaterboatworks.com
May I also suggest perusing these two websites following. There is always a lot of discussion about various boats (often in amazing detail) with actual paddlers telling of their opinions of one and another. The discussions there may help you narrow your search somewhat.
http://www.paddling.net http://solotripping.com
Both sites also have notices of folks selling used boats.