Don't dismiss the idea of a wooden boat for your purposes. In many ways, I think it is the ideal method for a comfortable, handsome cruiser.
That said, aluminum is excellent, especially if you have the special tools and expertise for working with it. If you find an aluminum hull already made that suits you, that would seem to be a natural choice. Just realize that there are some complications in building a cabin on an aluminum hull, including the need to insulate the walls, because of course, aluminum sweats.
