I can't vouch for what its like in VIC, but I went though the gamit of trailer or fixed keeler for a year before settling on a Top Hat.
What I was most concerned about is the ease of use. With a trailer sailer you need time to get it in the water, rig and cast off. If its on a stand somewhere and the time to get going is as low as 15 minutes, then that might be a good choice. Then you need to consider the weather your going to sail in, or perhaps get caught in. Some trailer boats will handle a lot, others not so much. Same with keel boats, but there are a lot more of them around for less money just waiting to be sailed.
My criteria was "how long will it take to cast off, and disembark on return from a days sailing?" it needs to be short, and we can cast off in 5 minutes, and disembark in 10. Mainly because ate how we've set up the boat and the mooring position.
My costs are very low $350 per year for the mooring license 70 metres from a public wharf. $40 a year to service the mooring and $1100 a year for the antifoul done professionally. That's just the start of it, but there is a great post here
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/The-REAL-cost-of-ownership/ that will help with what it really costs to own a boat.
Mooring and purchase price are just the start, so make sure you consider the rest in your budget, then let fly and have the time of your life
Michael
