Mike,
I am not going to regurgitate what has been said here. I will say that for your intended use, it is a great boat - that is coastal cruising, etc. Ever sailied a C36?? Great sailing boat. YOu will just plain have fun sailing it and just going out on it.
Many cruisers I have known have gone all over the place (N/S America) on a C36. I talked to a couple about amonth ago that lived on theirs for 7 years in the carib. Another I know sailed the carib, around New York, then back down to the carib twice before letting go of her. ANother couple I have communicated with still live on their C36 in the carib.
It is a very comfortable layout, and pretty traditional. It is easy to sail and a nice liveaboard. It should be easy to get rid of when the time should come.
Now that I have said all these praises, I will also say that it would not be my first choice of boats to hop across ANY pond on. In addition to the concerns laid out by Simon, the portholes are not my preferred portholes for crossing, you might want to consider updating/replacing the rigging for something newer (given the age of the boat), and you will have to secure all bilge boards and deck access (like the anchor locker) with positive locks. That is just a few of the things that pop to mind. ANd let's not forget this boat does not have a skeg hung (IIRC) rudder or water tight bulkhead.
SO, can you fix/change all of this? I guess. But the cost would be extraordinary and I doubt you would ever get it back when you sell it. Maybe you don't do all that sstuff and just take your chances. Or, maybe you would be better suited buying another boat that is made for that purpose. HOWEVER>>>>>>>> before you do that:
I find most blue water boats slow and typically motored (no offense).
I find most BW boats tight in both cockpit and down below (by design). Many of them just seem uncomfortable liveaboards until you get into the larger boats.
I find BW boats dissporportionaltely priced, in general.
Buy your boat for your intended purpose. If you are soon to go offshore, buy a boat focused on that. But if that is only a maybe, then buy a boat you will enjoy sailing and will enjoy living aboard. If you really want to cross the pond after that, you will know better than I what your boat would need and whether to replace it or ship it.
Just my suggestions. Take them for what they are worth (probably not much!!! smile)
- CD