New here too. Wife & I love the water, have boated since married (30 yrs now) and would love to sail into retirement. Just shifted from 20' Bayliner to a 20' Pontoon, for the sake of the # of kids, their significant others & the grandkid. Doubt if retirement (in about 5-7 years) will shift our residence south, but would like to sail Great Lakes and down to the Gulf. Will glean advice from this forum on setting realistic expectations of sailing vs powerboating!