I quite like my Columbia 9.6. They can be found for a reasonable
price, and they are a good size to
single hand, though maybe a little large for what you are seeking. I'd not want to live on something under 30' personally, and while I could do a lot of costal cruising with mine, I'd want something closer to 40' to circumnavigate. I know lots of people have done it with less, but I'd prefer the options a larger boat provides. My first boat I had on my own was as
Alberg kittiwake. 24'. Fun, but unbelievably slow. No tankage either.