I haven't had the experience with a shower draft or smaller boat, Chuck. That may make it easier for me to live with the deeper draft of my SM.  The Bahamas are known as a shallow draft venue, but there are lots of great places I can go.  I can get into the ICW many places, but not use it to transit N & S.  I wouldn't likely do that anyway.

Even single-handing, I have never thought it was too much boat for me.  If you go much smaller you will lose the genset, that's a deal breaker for me.  I often have 2-4 guests aboard, and the SM is great for that,  any more and I start to get a little claustrophobic.

The difference in dockage  or storage between a 45' and a 53' is 15%.  I've never thought that was significant, since I'm almost always at anchor.

I bought Kristy to do blue water sailing.  I don't believe I could find a better boat for that purpose.