[dnr]

I''m looking to buy my first sailboat. My plan is to keep it in Florida (I''m in Ohio) and use it as a vacation destination for 6 or 8 weekends a year - plus a week long cruise once or twice. Explore the Florida coast and the Bahamas. Six months ago, this was a fascinating search. Now I keep bouncing back and forth between models and sizes, and I think I''m trying to find the ever-elusive ''perfect'' boat. I admit I love looking at used boats, and am especially interested in hearing others first hand accounts and recommendations. To date, I know this... my budget is $65k, less if possible. I want to buy it and sail the same day - no project boats based upon my limited sail time. Thus mechanical and structural soundness over appearance, although my wife will hold me to higher standards on the cosmetic side. I need to sleep 4 to 6 adults without being too crowded, so I''m looking at 35 to 41ft. Max draft of 5 foot to get me into shallow areas. I''d like something fun to sail, not a tug. My search lately has centered on mid-to-late 80''s Pearson 36, mid 80''s and earlier Morgan''s, and mid 80''s Beneteau Oceanis 380. I''ve sailed on a mid 80''s Jeanneau built O''Day 3 cabin that was nice. Some of the Endeavours look promising. Anyone have any input on these boats? Any others in my price range to be considered? ANy and all advice will be appreciated.