Cruiser/liveaboard sailboats

[1Sharpguy]

Greetings all! New to the site and new to sailing. However, not new to boating and motor yachts. Liveaboard a Hatteras 43 DCMY on inland waterway (TN river) for last 5 years. Have single handed her up and down the river. Relocating to Gulf this fall. I plan to be in the Gulf for the winter months and the Great Lakes for the summer. I would like to continue my liveaboard lifestyle sailing the Great Lakes in the summer. As that I am in the market for a sailboat, I was hoping some of you experienced sailor's might be able to recommend a good late '70s/early 80s model sailboats that an inexperienced sailor could single hand, liveaboard and cruise the Lakes. No racers. Want cruisers and some basic comforts/amenities. Have read where 28' to 34' boats might be best to start out on for learning and single handing. Price range is mid to low teens.
Thoughts? (BTW...run across many C&Cs on the GLs for sale however understand they are more set up/designed for racing than cruising and may not have the comforts I might be seeking. If any of you have thoughts on these boats, would appreciate you sharing.)

[JPA Cate]

Sharp guy,

Welcome aboard CF. You will find extremely divergent opinions here. Imho, your budget is too small for a decent sailboat. It is that you wouldn't buy a "teens" car to circumnavigate the highways of North America, and, nor should you buy an inadequate sailboat for the Great Lakes, where sometimes the winds are strong. Remember the song about the Edmond Fitzgerald?d or Reuben James. You will want something more competent than your projected cost.

Ann

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Sharpguy.