[MichaelQ]

Jeff,
Thank you for the advice. I was a little sceptical about setting up a new Hunter or Catalina. In the mean time I have run across a 272 O''Day for sale in the area It is tiller but does have an outboard. (I guess we all have to suffer with trade-offs). It seems to be a very well maintained boat, but I have no information on the O''Day for a first boat and how well it handles. It also has a furling jib. (Thanks for your opinion on the furrling question...I know how you feel about having upopular opinions. Being a salmon swimming upstream has always worked for me.)
Thanks again for all the help!!
M