Lake Michigan - Advice on Boat Size for my Plans

[titan1969]

I am new to sailing. However my wife and I are planning on purchasing a boat late next year, once we are sure we are in this for the long term. Meanwhile we will take ASA courses, USPS course, and crew or charter as much as we can.

Of course we have the romantic view of things, sailing the ocean, doing the Great Loop...errrrr yea then reality sets in.

We are not interested in racing and would prefer a boat with some comforts verses a smaller/ day sailor. We would plan several 3 or 4 days excursions (thu, fri, sat, sun ) throughout the year. Rain, cold, are not much of a deterrent to our trips since we are life long Michiganders. We know we will encounter rougher seas at times.

Finally my question. For some day sailing, anchoring off shore for 3-4 day trips, would a 31-35' boat be the right size for us? Or should we plan on a smaller boat due to job time restrictions and plan on being day sailors, then charter something bigger when we want to? I have been leaning towards a smaller Island Packet 31'? I am 6'4" and it seems this is a nicely laid out boat with more room then many others we have been on.

But can an IP be a fun day sailor? or just to much boat for a 4-6 hour trip?

thx in advance....