Newbie looking at an Irwin 46 as a liveaboard

[DMcCurley]

Hello all.

I'm a newbie sailor, mostly lakes on boats no larger than 35'. I'm about to make a move to the coast and I'm looking to move onto a live aboard. I have found what I believe to be a pretty good deal on an Irwin 46 ketch. I've read some troubling things about Irwins in blue water, and although I'm not looking to stray too far from the coast at the moment (need some more experience before I do), I would like at some point in the future start making some crossings.

Does anyone on here own a Irwin 46 or have some insight into their performance in open water? Any information you have would be helpful. As I said, I'm pretty new to the idea of living aboard. I just don't want to get a boat that would not be a good option for hitting the open water in the future.

Thanks in advance for the help.