[WHOOSH]

Simon, you''re more than welcome. One suggestion if you are coming this way to do boat shopping: FL''s used boat market is huge, geographically and also re: types of boats in inventory. The more really hard work you can do on the web ahead of time, with a phone at your side and using something like 10-10-987 to cut the LD costs, the more productive your time here will be. I noticed recently that two smaller but great cruising boats - the Vega 27 I mentioned and a H-R Monsun 31 - were both in the Jacksonville area...yet it probably would be the last place you would think to look when considering bulked up inventories in the Panhandle, in SW FL (Ft. Myers, etc.) and of course the West Palm to Miami stretch.

You''re to be applauded for your goal, safe extended cruising on a small budget - it''s certainly do-able. But given your price range, I still think you need to reflect on your timetable. You''ve heard the old saw that you can pick any two of a boat''s 3 main qualities: size, price, and quality. The 3rd is determined by the 2 you choose. Going small with a limited budget - and having a base level of safety & comfort - will still require sweat equity upfront, and that takes time. Don''t overlook how much this will steal from your allotted cruising time. (Perhaps working a job to offset the living costs while outfitting the boat would be worth considering?)

Jack