new guy, looking for advise

[survivor25]

Hello all. Just introducing myself, I'm MARK, I have had the acct on here for a good while, but have just viewed from afar...I am now getting a lifelong dream coming full circle to "live aboard" fulltime year around on a sailboat. And not sitting in a marina somewhere, LOL, I intend to have sails up, and underway at least 60% of the year....going "somewhere". I have sailed for short times (6-10 days) and been on every kind of boat made, served in the US NAVY and find no more fullfiling place on earth than the ocean. So with that being said I am going to be buying a 38-40 ft "ketch", full keel, keel stepped, 1979 or earlier boat. (I am firm on a hand laid "heavy" older boat) I am one of those ppl that believe in bringing a TANK to a knife fight ha ha. at any rate I would like to just "chat" with some folks that have been OUT already for some experienced advise and maybe some pointers. I am liquidating Everything, and committing to adventure. "tired of the mundane work, sleep, work life!!" anyone willing to talk a little with me would be greatly appreciated...MARK. also I have done my homework, and studied this for like 2-half years now, had a 25.5 Hunter to just play on for a while, so, not just walking off the end of the plank here just have never "skippered" a SAILBOAT full time and single handed as I will be by myself.