How would spend £200K and £1400 per month to buy a bluewater yacht to liveaboard and sail / maybe circumnavigate for years to come?

[Rob44]

I’d go sail on as many different boats as you can during your training to see what you like, find essential, discover is not as useful as it looks. You’ll get dozens of opinions on the “right” boat for your trip. But I would say that step 1 is to define in very rough terms that trip. Where you want to go, how far you want to travel each leg, who might join you on the trip will all be factors.

I think the biggest challenge is insurers don’t like singlehanded sailors on multi day trips.


Oh, this sounds like a change from the OP? I assumed you had some sort of annuity or existing recurring passive income stream. Earning money will be hard - many visitors visa’s will not allow it. Even if you can find work you will likely be at the bottom end of the pay curve - when the “easiest” travel comes when exchange rates / economies play in your favour.

Personally I’d say this is a much more crucial question than how much to spend on a boat.

I think you also need to be realistic about doing maintenance, life chores (everything takes longer afloat), working and still having time to sail. Some people manage but I honestly think I’d struggle to do all that solo even without doing multi day passages.

Do you have any options that would let you say, buy a place to rent as an Airbnb in the summer, go sailing whilst it generates you money through the season with someone else going cleaning etc, then return to live in it and earn money in winter before repeating?

Great advice, I do intend to do exactly that so prior to purchase.

So maybe the greatest drawback for getting insurance is being single-handed? If so, wouldn’t finding some competent crew to cross, say from the Canaries to the Caribbean in December, be relatively straightforward?

I don’t intend living out the rest of my life alone and cruising around the world solo, but, I’ve been divorced and split with a long term girlfriend, so whilst I also want to be entirely independent if I need to be, I don’t want being single to stop me either.

It isn’t a change from the OP. I’ve only suggested a sum of £200K for initial boat purchase/savings and a £1400PM income. These are only example figures. My own are a bit different. I figured if I’ve spent, say, £100K on a boat and upgrades and there’s £100K savings left over, along with the £1400PM, eventually there’s going to come a time where the savings pot will have to be increased again.

I could sail for a period and come back to my old work, save like crazy, go back to sailing, or I could work for more years still, put more into the pension pot, get rid of the expensive car and so on…but life is getting shorter and so I’m super curious as to what experienced sailors might do with the amounts suggested and how and why. I’m hoping to learn from the suggestions and ideas.

I like the idea of renting my current house though, or downsizing and renting out something smaller, as mentioned earlier, and somehow financing the boat through other means. Maybe that’s key to it all. Finance for the boat, savings to reduce finance commitment, income from rent, and some income from the £1400PM might cover it all.

But the savings that I do have, not yet mentioned, I’d want for the courses and necessary boat upgrades. And the cost of the courses is one thing, the months doing them and not working and also paying a mortgage and so on is something else.

I think I have some serious numbers to crunch, but it’s also why I’m asking the original questions to help that process and give me things to think about that I haven’t thought of

 

[ashtead]

You might if you have time on your hands and no real ties try some form of trial Med boat related experience be it as a paying customer or boat related work? I suspect you might find useful insights looking at details of boats which have taken part in the ARC crossing Atlantic-it doesn’t need to be a Moody though -Jeanneau manage to reach StLucia for example - go to to say Levkas in say spring and look around for a couple of weeks and speak to a few liveabords down that way -those weeks will be insightful I’m sure.my impression is lots of boats reach the Med and don’t return to UK so there owners must be doing something there. As for Moody a 36 or38 might be worth a look as a comparator . You could join moody owners association and might find crewing there in UK -it’s a good source of info on moody if that’s your preferred option.

 

[geem]

Thanks Trident, some great info there. The space on a cat and its shallower draught really appeal. And the speed and stability. Just a bit unsure of how much its general lack of robustness and self-righting abilities in a very rough sea appeals though, and extra expense.

That said, I will most definitely have a look at your suggestions and give it some careful consideration; I really appreciate the idea you gave. I had this general belief cats would be just too expensive for me to consider, with of course the naive paranoia around their supposed tendency to capsize in rough seas…

Cats are not fast, unless you are buying a lightweight performance version with daggerboards.
They make great liveaboard spaces but I would suggest as a singlehander you would be better off with a 37/38ft monohull. Plenty of space for one person with an occasional guest. Easily handled.
A smaller boat will keep costs down. Things like new sails are exponential when you go bigger. Haul out and storage costs and marina berths all save you money if you go smaller.

 

[Graham376]

£100k would buy and update a suitable older boat, no need to spend £200k. Plenty of older Westerly, Moody and other makes around. We have a Moody 376 (38ft and based in EU) and as a couple spend roughly half the year living aboard Being mooring based only have marina costs occasionally when out and about. 12m boat can increase marina cost by up to 30%, compared to 11.95m. I would avoid catamarans due to up to double the cost in some marinas compared to mono.

Living aboard on anchor is fine in good weather and sheltered location but tender and reliable outboard have to be left somewhere secure when ashore, not always easy. Moving around from marina to marina is far more expensive as day rates are charged rather than longer term berths. However, finding ones who allow permanent liveaboards, rather than shorter term visits, is becoming increasingly difficult. Heading off to warmer climates sounds great but due to 90/180 personal rule in EU, not very practical there.

Finding work is difficult unless IT worker working on board or, maybe skills related to boats, working under the radar.

 

[geem]

£100k would buy and update a suitable older boat, no need to spend £200k. Plenty of older Westerly, Moody and other makes around. We have a Moody 376 (38ft and based in EU) and as a couple spend roughly half the year living aboard Being mooring based only have marina costs occasionally when out and about. 12m boat can increase marina cost by up to 30%, compared to 11.95m. I would avoid catamarans due to up to double the cost in some marinas compared to mono.

Living aboard on anchor is fine in good weather and sheltered location but tender and reliable outboard have to be left somewhere secure when ashore, not always easy. Moving around from marina to marina is far more expensive as day rates are charged rather than longer term berths. However, finding ones who allow permanent liveaboards, rather than shorter term visits, is becoming increasingly difficult. Heading off to warmer climates sounds great but due to 90/180 personal rule in EU, not very practical there.

Finding work is difficult unless IT worker working on board or, maybe skills related to boats, working under the radar.

No such issues here in the Caribbean. No cost to anchor. Reiable wind direction and plenty of great anchorages. 3 month limit on many visas but only one day on another island and you can come back for another 3 months.
Life is at anchor so zero marina fees.
Move to the southern island for hurricane season. We know cruisers that have been out here for 10 years living aboard. Never have to endure a UK winter again

 

[obmij]

Before committing to a £15K YM course I would try and get some offshore sailing experience. A Competent Crew course, a subscription to crewseekers and/or pestering the delivery companies will get you out there at minimal cost and risk. I personally wouldn't bother with a local yacht club, you wont go anywhere but will end up with an earache from all the advice.

Should you then decide that you like sailing and want to proceed with a fast track YM, chances are you'll get more value from the course if you've started it with some miles under your belt. It will help with confidence no end.

Buying a boat - I agree with the advice that <12m is prudent for your situation. I would not sell your property. Even if the dream is all you believe it will be (and why not), chances are you will want to step ashore at some point. With the numbers you've given, I would do the following. Borrow £100k on a ten year fixed rate with the intention of letting the property. Use rent insurance to minimise risk. Repayments of around £1k/month which will easily be covered by rent. Zero debt in 10 years or if after 5 years you decide that you've actually lived the dream as much as you want, at least you haven't exploded your life to do so and can easily unwind your affairs with no loss.

Of that £100K I would spend no more than £60K on a boat with £40K for emergency boat related expenses (not refit costs) I personally wouldn't bother with a load of 'blue water' upgrades. Is it safe, insurable and in commission? All good? Off you go. Many boats of many types are sailing the ocean blue straight out of the box.

Here's an example of what you can get https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/rival-36-for-sale/801805

Roughly the same money can also get you a mid 2000's French or German boat of around 11m. All good options depending on preference.

Of course the above is based on your stated £200K of equity / cash. If you have more then the equation changes..

Hope it all works out

 

[obmij]

Canaries to Madeira, Azores, Ireland and UK.

Something like the above might be a good, low cost & low risk way of getting to know whether you want to commit to selling your house and sailing off into the sunset, as well as a grounding for a YM course if it goes well.

No qualifications required but I imagine a comp crew would be appreciated.

 

[Rob44]

You might if you have time on your hands and no real ties try some form of trial Med boat related experience be it as a paying customer or boat related work? I suspect you might find useful insights looking at details of boats which have taken part in the ARC crossing Atlantic-it doesn’t need to be a Moody though -Jeanneau manage to reach StLucia for example - go to to say Levkas in say spring and look around for a couple of weeks and speak to a few liveabords down that way -those weeks will be insightful I’m sure.my impression is lots of boats reach the Med and don’t return to UK so there owners must be doing something there. As for Moody a 36 or38 might be worth a look as a comparator . You could join moody owners association and might find crewing there in UK -it’s a good source of info on moody if that’s your preferred option.

Hi Ashtead, unfortunately the time to do such things only becomes available once I stop working.

Totally agree ref the smaller boats.

To my thinking, the best way to get answers to many of my questions will be to get the experiences; whether that’s just having a look around inside to getting out on the water.

But hearing of people’s thoughts and ideas really helps too, at this super early stage.

 

[Rob44]

£100k would buy and update a suitable older boat, no need to spend £200k. Plenty of older Westerly, Moody and other makes around. We have a Moody 376 (38ft and based in EU) and as a couple spend roughly half the year living aboard Being mooring based only have marina costs occasionally when out and about. 12m boat can increase marina cost by up to 30%, compared to 11.95m. I would avoid catamarans due to up to double the cost in some marinas compared to mono.

Living aboard on anchor is fine in good weather and sheltered location but tender and reliable outboard have to be left somewhere secure when ashore, not always easy. Moving around from marina to marina is far more expensive as day rates are charged rather than longer term berths. However, finding ones who allow permanent liveaboards, rather than shorter term visits, is becoming increasingly difficult. Heading off to warmer climates sounds great but due to 90/180 personal rule in EU, not very practical there.

Finding work is difficult unless IT worker working on board or, maybe skills related to boats, working under the radar.

Hi Graham, that’s really helpful, thanks. Regards warmer climes, and as much as I love the Med and all the islands, I’d envisage the Caribbean on my way to French Polynesia as being an ultimate / eventual and longer term destination.

As much as I appreciate and use modern technology, such as for navigation, I seriously doubt I’ll ever be into IT enough to earn from doing remote work. Most likely work-abroad options I can envisage might be yacht delivery when suitably qualified / eventually experienced. Not just from what you might earn as a Captain, but from what you’re saving too, less the mooring fees, etc, of own boat.

 

[geem]

Hi Graham, that’s really helpful, thanks. Regards warmer climes, and as much as I love the Med and all the islands, I’d envisage the Caribbean on my way to French Polynesia as being an ultimate / eventual and longer term destination.

As much as I appreciate and use modern technology, such as for navigation, I seriously doubt I’ll ever be into IT enough to earn from doing remote work. Most likely work-abroad options I can envisage might be yacht delivery when suitably qualified / eventually experienced. Not just from what you might earn as a Captain, but from what you’re saving too, less the mooring fees, etc, of own boat.

Visas in French Polynesia are not as easy as the Caribbean. You get unlimited time here by vertue of about 25 different countries to move between

 

[Rob44]

Before committing to a £15K YM course I would try and get some offshore sailing experience. A Competent Crew course, a subscription to crewseekers and/or pestering the delivery companies will get you out there at minimal cost and risk. I personally wouldn't bother with a local yacht club, you wont go anywhere but will end up with an earache from all the advice.

Should you then decide that you like sailing and want to proceed with a fast track YM, chances are you'll get more value from the course if you've started it with some miles under your belt. It will help with confidence no end.

Buying a boat - I agree with the advice that <12m is prudent for your situation. I would not sell your property. Even if the dream is all you believe it will be (and why not), chances are you will want to step ashore at some point. With the numbers you've given, I would do the following. Borrow £100k on a ten year fixed rate with the intention of letting the property. Use rent insurance to minimise risk. Repayments of around £1k/month which will easily be covered by rent. Zero debt in 10 years or if after 5 years you decide that you've actually lived the dream as much as you want, at least you haven't exploded your life to do so and can easily unwind your affairs with no loss.

Of that £100K I would spend no more than £60K on a boat with £40K for emergency boat related expenses (not refit costs) I personally wouldn't bother with a load of 'blue water' upgrades. Is it safe, insurable and in commission? All good? Off you go. Many boats of many types are sailing the ocean blue straight out of the box.

Here's an example of what you can get https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/rival-36-for-sale/801805

Roughly the same money can also get you a mid 2000's French or German boat of around 11m. All good options depending on preference.

Of course the above is based on your stated £200K of equity / cash. If you have more then the equation changes..

Hope it all works out

Hi Obmij, that’s a really helpful reply, thanks! I already know I love sailing from what little I’ve already done, I sort of knew it as a kid; it was much like I how I knew I loved flying and the little experiences here and there only confirmed what I already knew, although the way things panned out obviously doing it further remained on the back burner.

I get being days upon days on a rainy and confused sea will be very different to zipping along in a dingy somewhere tropical, but if there’s options for such experiences/opportunities prior to full-on commitment and courses, I’ll be there with bells on.

So I do recognise and agree with your good advice, and I do wish to start sailing and being around yachts asap. I don’t live coastal, so thought getting in comms with the nearest club might help start the practical experience?

One area that’s causing me particular concern is insurance though; I think I came across either an article or YouTube vid where there appeared to be a 40 year rule for insurers, where once a boat reached such an age they’d consider it uninsurable?

 

[Graham376]

Hi Graham, that’s really helpful, thanks. Regards warmer climes, and as much as I love the Med and all the islands, I’d envisage the Caribbean on my way to French Polynesia as being an ultimate / eventual and longer term destination.

As much as I appreciate and use modern technology, such as for navigation, I seriously doubt I’ll ever be into IT enough to earn from doing remote work. Most likely work-abroad options I can envisage might be yacht delivery when suitably qualified / eventually experienced. Not just from what you might earn as a Captain, but from what you’re saving too, less the mooring fees, etc, of own boat.

When I decided to look at sailing, about all I knew about boats was that usually, one end was pointed and the other blunt

I started with a Competent Crew course (as already suggested above) in the Solent, got the bug and bought a 26ft boat, a Westerly Centaur. Got some onboard tuition whilst doing Day Skipper theory course and took it from there, later upsizing boats as I got experience, also completed more courses.

I don't want to knock the (expensive) fast track way of obtaining qualifications because it suits some people but believe more can be learned over longer period in all sorts of varying conditions, on ones own boat.

P.S. just seen your question about insurance. No there's no age limit for boats as such. Some insurers will be picky, others more accommodating and wildly varying premiums, based obviously on value but also on experience and location/sailing area. The wider the sailing area, the higher the cost and some will not cover single handed sailing except for short periods, I think I'm restricted to 18 hours.

 

[potentillaCO32]

Rob,

you might want to message these guys and ask how they got on with their dreams. They seemed jolly keen about the idea.

Search results

I

Thread 'Newbie looking for advice - sorry!'

2 Sep 2025

Hi to all.

This is my first post. I don't yet have a boat, but hope to have one within the next 12 to 18 months. I'm gathering as much information as I can at this stage.

So, to explain. My wife and I would like to sell our house and buy a boat to live aboard full time. We live in France (we're British but in the process of obtaining French nationality which will help with spending time in other Schengen countries). We'd like to sail the main European waterways (Canal Midi, Danube, Rhine etc) but still have the ability to do some coastal cruising and we'd like to be able to explore the...

• It's all new to me!
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Liveaboard Link

C

Thread 'we are thinking of buying a moror boat to live on , it has to be 12 netres plus ,my wife is disabled so wheelcahir access or i can adapt'

1 Sep 2025

we have had boats up to 20 years ago when we left the uK,, now we are thinking of coming back ,grankids etc
my wife needs a wheelcair to get about
so we are looking for a large boat so i can alter it to suit a chair

my main concern, 1 of many is how good is the internet in the uk marinas????
are there any groups or forums for diasable boaters???
lots of questons but any advice PLEASE

• chrisarvorwilliams@hotmai
• Replies: 25
• Forum: Liveaboard Link

S

Thread 'Reality of Selling up and Living Aboard as a Family'

11 Mar 2025

I am looking into the reality (pros and cons) of selling up the Bricks and Mortar, to buy a sailing yacht to live on with my wife and 2 children, staying in the UK until the children finish school whilst continuing to work and save, and then looking to do some worldwide cruising before we are too far past our sell by date.

Reading some of the threads I appear to be lucky in the fact that my wife is fully on board with this idea, in fact she is almost as keen on it as I am, and as a bonus the children are also quite keen too.

We've booked on for Competent Crew early this year, and will be...

• Serious_Dreamer
• Replies: 54
• Forum: Liveaboard Link

W

Thread 'Is there an ultimate first liveaboard sailing boat for a bachelor?'

24 Sep 2024

Hello my fellow boaty-types

Thank you for clicking in for a look.

Is there an ultimate first liveaboard for a bachelor?

How big do you need to go to get 6ft headroom?

Designed for single-handed sailing?

To keep this in realms of reality for the majority let's keep budget under £20k? What's possible?

A boat that will be strong enough to sail from the UK to the Med, Portugal, maybe even the Azores...
________________________
Yes, I'm asking for me but wanted to open a discussion to help me decide if this is a realistic option for me to embrace next year.

• WADADM
• Replies: 55
• Forum: Liveaboard Link

• 

This is just a few picked from the last year or so. I don't think they posted back their progress but they might respond to a message.

 

[Rob44]

When I decided to look at sailing, about all I knew about boats was that usually, one end was pointed and the other blunt

I started with a Competent Crew course (as already suggested above) in the Solent, got the bug and bought a 26ft boat, a Westerly Centaur. Got some onboard tuition whilst doing Day Skipper theory course and took it from there, later upsizing boats as I got experience, also completed more courses.

I don't want to knock the (expensive) fast track way of obtaining qualifications because it suits some people but believe more can be learned over longer period in all sorts of varying conditions, on ones own boat.

Completely agree Graham, but such a process would likely take too many years. I think the earliest I might likely sail off into the wild blue yonder, if I was to do some sailing now and commit to giving up job and doing the courses soon (along with being fully committed to building on experiences after courses completion) would be sometime in early 2028.

When I decided to look at sailing, about all I knew about boats was that usually, one end was pointed and the other blunt

I started with a Competent Crew course (as already suggested above) in the Solent, got the bug and bought a 26ft boat, a Westerly Centaur. Got some onboard tuition whilst doing Day Skipper theory course and took it from there, later upsizing boats as I got experience, also completed more courses.

I don't want to knock the (expensive) fast track way of obtaining qualifications because it suits some people but believe more can be learned over longer period in all sorts of varying conditions, on ones own boat.

P.S. just seen your question about insurance. No there's no age limit for boats as such. Some insurers will be picky, others more accommodating and wildly varying premiums, based obviously on value but also on experience and location/sailing area. The wider the sailing area, the higher the cost and some will not cover single handed sailing except for short periods, I think I'm restricted to 18 hours.

Completely agree Graham, but such a process would likely take too many years. I think the earliest I might likely sail off into the wild blue yonder, if I was to do some sailing now and commit to giving up job and doing the courses soon (along with being fully committed to building on experiences after courses completion) would be sometime in early 2028.

Ref insurance, I guess I can start reconsidering solo oceanic crossings for the time being

 

[Rob44]

Rob,

you might want to message these guys and ask how they got on with their dreams. They seemed jolly keen about the idea.

Search results

I

Thread 'Newbie looking for advice - sorry!'

2 Sep 2025

Hi to all.

This is my first post. I don't yet have a boat, but hope to have one within the next 12 to 18 months. I'm gathering as much information as I can at this stage.

So, to explain. My wife and I would like to sell our house and buy a boat to live aboard full time. We live in France (we're British but in the process of obtaining French nationality which will help with spending time in other Schengen countries). We'd like to sail the main European waterways (Canal Midi, Danube, Rhine etc) but still have the ability to do some coastal cruising and we'd like to be able to explore the...

• It's all new to me!
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Liveaboard Link

C

Thread 'we are thinking of buying a moror boat to live on , it has to be 12 netres plus ,my wife is disabled so wheelcahir access or i can adapt'

1 Sep 2025

we have had boats up to 20 years ago when we left the uK,, now we are thinking of coming back ,grankids etc
my wife needs a wheelcair to get about
so we are looking for a large boat so i can alter it to suit a chair

my main concern, 1 of many is how good is the internet in the uk marinas????
are there any groups or forums for diasable boaters???
lots of questons but any advice PLEASE

• chrisarvorwilliams@hotmai
• Replies: 25
• Forum: Liveaboard Link

S

Thread 'Reality of Selling up and Living Aboard as a Family'

11 Mar 2025

I am looking into the reality (pros and cons) of selling up the Bricks and Mortar, to buy a sailing yacht to live on with my wife and 2 children, staying in the UK until the children finish school whilst continuing to work and save, and then looking to do some worldwide cruising before we are too far past our sell by date.

Reading some of the threads I appear to be lucky in the fact that my wife is fully on board with this idea, in fact she is almost as keen on it as I am, and as a bonus the children are also quite keen too.

We've booked on for Competent Crew early this year, and will be...

• Serious_Dreamer
• Replies: 54
• Forum: Liveaboard Link

W

Thread 'Is there an ultimate first liveaboard sailing boat for a bachelor?'

24 Sep 2024

Hello my fellow boaty-types

Thank you for clicking in for a look.

Is there an ultimate first liveaboard for a bachelor?

How big do you need to go to get 6ft headroom?

Designed for single-handed sailing?

To keep this in realms of reality for the majority let's keep budget under £20k? What's possible?

A boat that will be strong enough to sail from the UK to the Med, Portugal, maybe even the Azores...
________________________
Yes, I'm asking for me but wanted to open a discussion to help me decide if this is a realistic option for me to embrace next year.

• WADADM
• Replies: 55
• Forum: Liveaboard Link

• 

This is just a few picked from the last year or so. I don't think they posted back their progress but they might respond to a message.

I recognise most of the threads! But yeah, will-do, sounds like a good idea to hopefully discover some insight

 

[Tranona]

Looking at past threads as in post#33 is useful. In the 20+ years I have been a member here I have rarely seen any such posters return and say how they got on. Of course some may have pursued the dream and just got on with it and it is clear that others do with varying degrees of success as the rash of youtubes and blogs show.

This is a recent one, though that has in less than a year gone as far as buying a modest boat and taken the courses forums.ybw.com/threads/novice-yachtist-considering-lifes-options.617505/

 

[potentillaCO32]

Looking at past threads as in post#33 is useful. In the 20+ years I have been a member here I have rarely seen any such posters return and say how they got on. Of course some may have pursued the dream and just got on with it and it is clear that others do with varying degrees of success as the rash of youtubes and blogs show.

This is a recent one, though that has in less than a year gone as far as buying a modest boat and taken the courses forums.ybw.com/threads/novice-yachtist-considering-lifes-options.617505/

A fine exception. Nearly every other one the dreamer is never heard from again.

 

[ylop]

I’m not sure why you think “doing the courses” is going to be massively expensive or time consuming: it’s certainly not going to mean months without earning unless you are specifically trying to get commercially endorsed at a high level.

A total newbie could quite feasibly do Comp Crew, Day Skipper Theory and Practical, their VHF exam and Diesel Engines Course in one season without needing to take more than a few days off work (depending on type of job/flexibility) or spend more than about the £1500. Many people go world cruising with fewer qualifications than that! Of course you can keep going with the training after that but you would also be more than equipped to charter, or pick up a cheap old boat and learn “for real”. Until you start you really won’t know if it’s just a pipe dream. Step 1 is about £400 and 5 days or 2 weekends…

 

[Rob44]

A fine exception. Nearly every other one the dreamer is never heard from again.

Of course. Maybe they’re living their best lives having achieved their aim, whether that became some liveaboard sailing nirvana or just a distraction from the daily grind, but maybe it shouldn’t really matter if they’re just openly asking questions and wanting to learn?

I’ve seen many similar questions to these posts from people wanting to get into flying and some other activities I do. So without wishing to sound too defensive, I understand your sentiment and don’t wish to contest it too much; I’m just really curious to hear the how and why of the original post

 

[Rob44]

I’m not sure why you think “doing the courses” is going to be massively expensive or time consuming: it’s certainly not going to mean months without earning unless you are specifically trying to get commercially endorsed at a high level.

A total newbie could quite feasibly do Comp Crew, Day Skipper Theory and Practical, their VHF exam and Diesel Engines Course in one season without needing to take more than a few days off work (depending on type of job/flexibility) or spend more than about the £1500. Many people go world cruising with fewer qualifications than that! Of course you can keep going with the training after that but you would also be more than equipped to charter, or pick up a cheap old boat and learn “for real”. Until you start you really won’t know if it’s just a pipe dream. Step 1 is about £400 and 5 days or 2 weekends…

Hi Ylop, as a means to maximise experience in the minimum time frame I find the UKSA residential Yachtmaster Offshore course particularly interesting. And at 114 days long and £14500 that’s quite time consuming and expensive for me.

I appreciate I absolutely don’t have to do such a course and that the vast majority don’t, but given my situation I thought it would be money well spent.

I’ll also add I appreciate and agree with yours and other people’s sentiments to do some sailing / crewing / shorter courses prior.

And I’ll add further I’m primarily interested in hearing what boats experienced sailors might buy with that money and why. For example, today when the Moody 376 was mentioned, and looking at some online, I noticed one with a bilge keel. So I was trying to learn a little about bilge keels and how advantageous they might be with their shallower draft when it came to living onboard, primarily mooring up somewhere tropical. I figure in such circumstances the shallower draft the better (to free up more options), but how much of that advantage would be lost in performance caused by the extra drag? Would it really matter? Or would the increased stability at anchor offset that aspect? Or is it really just for sailing / mooring where there’s a considerable tidal range and it can sit on its feet? How bad is the upwind performance? And so on.

I can read of people’s opinions, which is great. I know the one that matters most is my own, and I know it won’t be of much use if I have no experience to base it on.