Referring to the original post, if as you say, performance really wasn't an issue for you, I can't think of any reason (save perhaps the shallow draft) that a powercat would be a better choice than a monohull. On the other hand, you did say living aboard was, so at least one sub-40 powercat offers exceptional living-aboard space, namely the aforementioned Endeavour 36. Three staterooms, great salon, huge head with separate shower, and decent engine access under the aft stateroom bunks. Nice semi-enclosed helm with plenty of seating. Enough deck and walkway space to fish from anywhere. It's low profile and a 16 ft. beam give it a low center of gravity and favorable windage but not so wide that slips are impossible. It's a function over form design (ugly), but about the only real negative is that the bridge deck height is pretty low, and she does slam a bit in head seas. They can be bought for around 150K.
The PDQ 34 is surely the efficiency king among the lot. Better design, less interior space (although very good), and handles like a sports car from either the strategically centered interior helm or a very spacious flybridge. I love it and would probably have one if I wasn't so big and stiff. Stepping into the hulls is difficult and climbing into the queen bunks are negatives for me, but fine for lesser, more elastic frames. Engine access is also tight but doable. I have to lay on the engines and change the impellers blind. 16 ft. beam, decent windage,... really a wonderful boat.
If it were my money, I wouldn't spend it on a Fontaine Pajot in any length under the 37 foot Maryland. Good Maryland's are available within your budget and the extra length gives some better maintenance access, decent heads, larger salon, and if you can live with the creeking and groaning, the design does pretty good in heavy water too. Windage is not as good as the other two but still OK, and the beam won't kill you.
There's a host of different livable cats around Australia, South Africa and Thailand by the way, and shipping from there would likely be much cheaper. Best of luck.