Go to * to skip the background story :). If I am in the wrong section (or even if you can think of a better forum for cruiser sailing let me know)

Hey all I had been saving money to begin a new project car but after lots of thinking ive decided to buy a yacht. I had been planning too for the last 6 months and decided i didnt need another money pit sports car that spends more time in my garage then on the road. Im 20 years old by the way.

Im not interested in doing any racing (ive got my track car for that) but am after a cruiser to go on weekend fishing trips and maybe a week away on holidays along the coast etc. Maybe even a trip to New Zealand or South pacific if the yacht and my experiance can take it (or maybe in a few years) :).

*Ive got about the $7500-$10000 mark to spend and around that price range I have seen some nice 24 foot yachts that can comfortably sleep 2 people, toilet, stove, and electrics. Ive been looking at mooring costs and it looks reasonable enough. What other kind of costs would I be looking at boat maintance wise, when I get a bit more learned on sailing and yachting I plan on taking some learning courses with a mate before I go buy one, to make sure I can manage. Are my goals of finding a yacht for about $8-10K mark, then spending maybe 1-2k a year on governemnt costs and maintance (plus the odd 1k or so on repairs) reasonable, or is this dream to good to be true?

Any other tips for a first time yacht buyer? I will definately be having more questions as it gets closer and closer such as timber/fibreglass boat, brand names, what to look out for, mooring, equipment etc etc.

Im in NSW, Sydney. Im not planning on tackling the pacific obviously, but would like to take on Australian Islands at the least. Ill look up the S80's, thank you for the reply mate. Do you think my plan of having a sea going boat for $10000 is reasonable? ive been looking more at licening and mooring fees and I think I can afford it reasonably. Cant wait to do the compulsary licence course. Should learn alot more.

Also a mate of mine is thinking of going halves with me, sharing a boat with a good freind would be easy yer? I mean it is not like a car. Ill be the only one licence though.

EDIT - The S80's seem a bit out of my price range. $20000 is more then I have. I was looking at like the Hood 23, Hutton 24 and other similar size,price cruisers.