Welcome. There are numerous posts on this or very similar topics eg;

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Pocket-Ocean-Cruisers

If you can advise what your "very small" budget is in $s it would assist in relevant responses. What is your sailing experience and maintenance skills? And toolkit contents including cordless power tools? Not trying to pry just to be able to respond in a more focused manner. Best to put aside some $s beyond the purchase price for the inherent immediate maintenance needed on any purchased yacht including an immediate slipping and antifouling probably. If the standing rigging is >10yrs old it will need to be renewed for insurance. Search this site for insurance woes and tips it is not straightforward. There is a good prior post on Clansman 30 versus Cavalier 32.

There are numerous good youtube videos on line you have probably seen - this one is US but there are numerous Aust based.



If you don't have suitable experience at present suggest do a suitable course - eg Aussea sailing school

Good comments in this prior post but not the exact topic

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Selling-house-and-buying-a-boat-as-a-home-

This has just been listed up in Caboolture

www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/2237708389717117/?media_id=0&ref=share_attachment

As an observation, when looking at a mono displacement is a better guide than length. I would suggest a 10t ish vessel would be minimal for live aboard. But of course a 10t 30footer is going to be a lot slower than a 10t 40footer, and likewise a 5t 30footer will be faster than a 10t job but cramped in comparison

Great sounds like you have planned it out well all the best with it.

Of course there are many 28-30 footers in your price range. This one is 31ft and over your price range but it has been on the market for a while and the seller is after offers.........the advert is very concise........it is a centre cockpit and hence aft cabin version of the Adams 31 so has benefits for a liveaboard. A good sea boat.

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/coffs-harbour/sail-boats/yacht-adams31/1290751192

This advert here is a lot better presentation and shows the boat type a lot better - at nearly double the price.

www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/sailing-boats/adams-31/278173

This one is the aft cockpit version but sold

hallettboatbrokers.com.au/boat/245034/adams-31/

As a suggestion I would not dive into a yacht purchase if it is not what you want as on-selling yachts is generally a right PITA.

If the Roberts 34 Ramona mentioned is of interest maybe ask him to get the owners contacts? Details here;

www.finelineboatplans.com/bruce-roberts-34-boat-plan

Thanx again all,
I'm thinking I'll be a cruising liveaboard not a mooring minder liveaboard so I'm hoping not to be tied down too much.
R31 that's a v nice boat, a bit rich for me just now, but if it's still available in August I might put in a low ball offer.
Ramona thanx for the piccy. A Roberts 34 looks to be a great size, if this is still available in August they may be getting a call from me :)
Cheers
ACTAndy

Ok, so it's getting close to 'let's go buy a boat time'...
Just wondering if there is a 'manual' for what you need to do to be a cruising liveaboard, things like list of essential equipment, how the government gets hold of you, best and cheapest anchorages etc. ?
It will give me something to read while I'm boat hunting

Thanx Ramona.

I'm guessing I'll be ok if it's anchoring for a day or two between trips up or down the coast. I'm looking at being in one spot for a short amount of time before moving to the next. Of course that's all after I've got a boat and made her tripworthy

28 days in one waterway & 90days in a calendar year on nsw waters. Get on a mooring wait list or take up a mooring in a non wait list area, don't draw attention to yourself and you'll be sweet

tarquin1 said..
So it has to be on the mooring most of the year???

No. You are supposed to give notice if your heading off somewhere. You can be off the mooring all year as long as the BO knows.