Marty, (oops, had wrong name for you)
If I found the right website, you've got some great surf shots and many other excellent images!
I couldn't see in your signature-what equipment are you shooting with?
Just read a couple of your other posts, but I'm almost done here now...
The first thing you need to figure out is WHAT you're purchasing the printer for--whichever printer you decide on:
If it is for your "event" business, and please don't take this the wrong way, skip the printer and farm the work out. Been there, done that, wore out the t-shirt! Figure out what size prints/posters, etc your clients will actually purchase--and whether the price they are willing to pay is sustainable with you doing the printing. Don't forget to count your time, do-overs, etc. Compare that to what it will cost to have the print made for you (at the quality you need, which may be lower than the quality you could produce if you hand made each print at home), how you will take orders and deliver the print--or if you want the printing company to do that for you, under your name, of course. The more shots you take, the more sense it makes to have somebody do that part of the work--so you can take more shots, take orders, and get some sleep every now and then...
If is for yourself--to work on your craft, make prints to display and share, then go for it! There are some great prices now and lots to learn. I can tell you now--whichever printer you purchase, you'll soon be wishing you had purchased the next size up. It is great for experimenting, creating your own displays and portfolio, etc. Also, you'll print stuff out that you would never think to send out to a printer--and it may help you change direction or discover something you might have glossed over.
My story (short version): I purchased a second hand Epson 7600, 24" (a number of years ago) and several dye sub 8x10 printers. Planned to sell a bunch of 16x20 and 24x36 prints and collages. Ended up selling tons of 5x7, 8x10, 12x18 prints and a much smaller number of the big stuff. Ultimately ended up sending 99% of the work out to print. With the volume it just made more sense--and was less expensive. Now, I did produce all of my own display materials (ended up purchasing a commercial laminator, high end textured lamination film, adhesive, and a ton of gator board) and could quickly make custom displays for events and clients that I probably wouldn't have sent out to a printer...turned our rec room into my personal gallery, and did countless personal projects...
Would love to hear updates on what you end up doing and how it works out!
Regards,
Carl