My Red Star started laying in mid August, and hasn't taken a day off since late August. She's a trooper! Good big eggs, fairly strong shells, usually about 64 grams. Reddish brown eggs, with darker brown freckles. Shells often have roughness.
All the other hens (we have 5, of 5 different breeds) are more intermittent, and lay smaller eggs.
The White Rock is probably second in productivity. She lays some of the nicest looking eggs, very smooth, evenly colored, lighter and more tan in color. But smaller, they're closer to 50 grams.
black star or sexlinks... Both excellent choices... rhodies are good for being disease resistant... Heavily feathered birds lay through winter better..... It sounds like you need to try a lot of birds out
Am a rookie in rookie year. My buff comets (Gold Comets or Gold Sex Links) started first and are very consistent. I do not know about longevity tho. I also have RIR, BA, BR. All are consistent layers but started a little after the BC did. All are good winter layers too.
I need about 17 hens and a bird who lays everyday and will lay consistently w/o stopping and taking breaks. And a bird who lives happily in a hen house attached to a fairly large run.