I am in the process of a change of life. I don't want to be the person that I am or continue the life that I have. I have always loved the sea as both a fisherman and now an avid scuba diver. i have never sailed. I am seriously considering selling my apartment and heading up the Coral Coast (I'm in Brisbane) to maybe Lady Musgrave or further. I am looking at buying a multihull because a friend of mine who is a boat builder says that they are easy to handle single handed, draw less and you can beach them for repairs or maintenance. I'm thinking of going 25-32 feet as all the advice I'm receiving points me this way. I can simplify my life to adapt to life on the water no problem. I guess my question is; how hard is it to really learn how to sail competently a boat of that size? I have spoken to a few people who say it's not that hard but i really wanted to canvass a wider range of people. I realize that I will need to do a lot of bay sailing with someone who knows how before trying to go offshore. Also, how much money should I keep liquid for living expenses? I don't mean, tell me all your horror stories of what can go wrong, just the basic sort of stuff that it's prudent to be prepared for. I understand that 10percent of bost cost per year is the standard. I'm looking at spending somewhere in the region of 40 to 60 thousand and it seems like there are a lot of quality livable boats around at that price. Obviously, I would have my best friend (the boatbuilder) check it out with me first. Also, I am just planning on cruising, not any serious offshore stuff. Just out to Lady Musgrave lagoon once in a while. I realize that I am green and haven't sailed or lived on board a boat for any real time before (except three day dive boat stints) but I am determined not to be a slave for the rest of my life (I'm 39) and I know that this lifestyle will suit me. Whether I'm diving or fishing, when I'm on the water it just feels right. Always has. I just need to research what I'm getting myself in to and work out the kinks.

Definitely go down to the local yacht club and have a chat to the sailors. Just a simple walk along the jetty will allow you to bump into people, stop and have a chat to boat owners etc. Sure you may meet some arrogant tossers, but there's always friendly passionate sailors who would have no problem taking you as crew for twilights.

Yacht clubs/mariners are also the perfect place for checking out different boats and once you know a few people you'll be able to ride on a few and decide what features are important for when you buy your boat. It will also allow you to decide if you like sailing!

Good luck, if you've got enough cash it seems like a great lifestyle decision

Hi go for it to live onboard at a budged i would sugest after you get your boat
To apply for a mooring in morton bay at a cost of around $200 p/year
you have to sink/lay your own mooring average cost is 3000 for that sice of boat
the main thing is that you must be a alround handy man to fix and maintain your boat
catamara are not to bad but the weaknes is always in the cross deck joints witch are major expensive dificuld repairs (better to sell when fix)
i would look for a steel single full hull with sidelegs (between 28-33Foot) so you can ground it for maintanace and repairs
Inportend think you need
1-90 watt /5.6Amp solar pannel-1500w inverter storage batt 300Amp min
2-150L watertank (bladder) and able to colect rainwater
3-Lighting,spotlight must be LED
4 Good tools and spares/bits-pieces
5 Diesel motor around 15Hp uses a litre per hour.tank must be 150 liter so you know when coast hopping you have 140 running hour under power (@min5 knots ph) in case you have problems
6 manual inboard toilet and hand shower
7 Most inportend buy 120l front door freezer used 5Amp perday
i lived for 6 years on 26f steel sailboat
Living cost for me was arond 120 per week
At the moment aim rebuildingconverting my steel sailer in to moter sailer to live full time on my mooring and will do coast hopping arond AU in fair wheater
8- get wireless internet usb with extention cost 29P/m 2gB
I you want you can call me for more info