To buy or not to buy

[cwyckham]

You haven't mentioned how much sailing experience or boat owning experience you have.

If you've never owned a boat and are a relative sailing novice, I'd either join a good club if one is local, or buy a cheap smaller boat of a type that is common in your location.

Sail the heck out of it for a few years and buy the big boat once you know a lot more about the type of sailing you like and your boating preferences. The small boat will save you a ton of money and you're more likely to buy the right boat.

Also have a look at the book How NOT to Buy a Cruising Boat.