I would substantially agree with GW's thoughts; especially re crew numbers and the need for some agility.
However, I have nil experience of operating boats in this way - either for a charity, or for "disabled" crew.
Hopefully these thoughts may be of interest?
I've had both a Drascombe Lugger and a BRe as " nearly new" in the past 5 years. Selling my Lugger for a BRe.
The Lugger is a different beast entirely; much heavier and more solidly built, and this obviously affects durability, sailing ability/performance and ease of movement on land.
The Lugger trailer was far superior - in a different league (info available - search on here if this matters to you).
The local "charities" hereabouts seem to operate Drascombe Luggers/Longboats/Gigs.
When I first decided that I valued sailing performance over the qualities of the Lugger (as mentioned above), I viewed three BRs that had been "pooled boats" operated by University of Plymouth "Marine Faculty" apparently as some sort of "P.E." type facility.
The boats were not particularly "competitively priced".
They had been left afloat in a marina.
I could not believe the incredibly poor condition of the boats; supposedly they were 3-4 years old.
Fittings/sails/spars/trailers were all pretty much trashed.
Hulls and foils all damaged to some degree.
At least one of the boats would have needed a formal structural survey imo, if I was to buy.
I spent quite some time picking over what was imo, a lot of rubbish, made up one reasonable boat-set, and made an offer based on the (still) very poor condition of the equipment.
They refused...I went away, and never went back. Pleased I did!
I believe that these boats may later have been back to Swallow for a refurb, before sale? Wonder where they ended up?
I seem to recall the UoP were after something "more sexy", like RS Elite, or similar?
This experience almost put me off the Swallow boats, until I realised that the way UoP (Plymouth Poly- my Alma Mater, for what that's worth - "The Bosun"would never have let us get away with abusing boats like these BR's clearly had been) were operating these relatively "delicate" dinghy-like boats was the issue.
I perhaps wouldn't have minded the work, if the price reflected that.
However, I faced swapping an immaculate top-spec 3 year old Lugger, for a very scrappy BR of similar vintage; with lots still to spend to get the entire BR "package" in reasonably good order, perhaps even into a fully usable condition?
So lessons in durability and pricing - Maybe?
I would also add - availability is also a consideration. You can see on this forum how much of a sellers market it seems to be at the moment? There are MANY more Luggers than BR's available.
To continue GW's analogy.
"Thoroughbred" BR v "Family pony" Lugger?