hi I'm new to sea breeze and sailing. Well after a failed marriage that lasted a year and the last member of my direct family passing away two months ago. I am ready to do my own thing in life.

I have worked on tugboats since I was 17 ( 3 years) but apart from sailing lasers for 5 years as a teen. I haven't had much to do with sailing. My ex has drained me both financially and emotionally. But in think I need to do something i have always loved. Adventure.

So here in am a 20 with no keelboat sailing experience and loads of motor boat experience (have had a motor boat since I was 7). I am thinking about doing the RYA competent crew and maybe day skipper courses. Then buying something like a Top Hat 25 and teaching myself. Starting in sheltered bays in good weather then working my way up into more ****ty conditions. For a few months.

After i I will try and find some sponsorship and refit the boat for about 8-10 weeks to be able to do a trip like mine. So I have a few questions for you guys to help me out with.
1) Is the Top Hat 25 fit to take on a Solo non-stop unassisted circumnavigation of Australia? If not what boats would you suggest that wouldn't be to hard to sail.

2) would I require more sailing experience? ( I have a lot of experience with navigation and steaming motorboats long distance)
3) What companies would you suggest to ask for sponsorship?

Thanks, also I don't really have a lot of time to pull this trip off as I have work commitments. I would be thinking about leaving say February 2020 and the trip taking about 2.5 to 3 months.

PS I have been reading these forms for a while now. I have to say I am impressed with people like Cisco and others giving their honest opinion.
Thanks Again
Mick