Appreciate it

Got me a bit worried if a smaller 42' ultimate is too much of a step up from an Escapade....Is there a better third plane that people recommend? Preferable that I could throw the 65 la in? Not sure what it is about the Ultimates....They just look really cool. And for 100 bucks, it's hard to beat. But if I am going to have problems, I'd rather not jump ahead too fast...