WHAT SIZE BOAT?

Only the first one

[Lynx]

Another point is - When you can go cruising? Is the boat so big and so expensive or needs so many $$$ to repair that you cannot go in the next ? years. Maby it is to big.

You might change your blue water plans and go coastal.

Some people can handle a 16 footer for several months, Some people cannot go cruising in a 60 footer.

If you can go backpacking for a couple of weeks then you might be able to go cruising for a couple of years with just a small cabin with head and small galley. 19 to 28 feet.

A cheeper boat you can go cruising sooner and have more money left over.

[Charlie]

I would suggest chartering boats of different isizes. We chartered a 41' Morgan Out Island two years ago. Being a ketch it was easy to sail but it had too much beam and didn't sail that well. This year we chartered an Etap 32. Sailed alot better and fine for a week or two but not my idea of a live aboard. Now we've settled on a Sceptre 41. Less beam than a Morgan more room than an Etap. Dad used to have a Newport 30 that had more room than the J105 (34.5') we own now. J105 has roller furling and is easier to sail than the Newport 30. When all is said and done you need to sail on different boats and see what works for you.