[c172guy]

Buying the boat too soon would be a mistake that I have made. we bought last year with my wife planning to retire this spring. She backed out and now we can only sail twice a month or maybe every three weeks. There is stuff to do on the boat to get it ready but I want to sail whenever possible. Figure the marina expenses interest on the loan etc and we could have spent several thousand more on the boat.
It is getting worse in that my wife''s mother is sick. Her sister is wanting help with the home care. Now my wife is talking working another "year or two".
I would advise you to wait to buy. Sure it will take a few months to get the boat ready but you will then be retired and can live on the boat or nearby. Dedicate 100% effort to the boat and not suffer the frustration of having one foot tied to shore and the other foot on the boat.
I am grateful for having a boat and we have spent a few weeks sailing on our boat. But I feel torn in that I no longer feel part of my land life and work but can''t start living aboard full time.