G'day all.

My first post here as a wannabe sailor. I thought I may pick some brains as getting down to the local yacht club isn't the easiest thing to do right now (Highlands of PNG is as far from an ocean as I can imagine right now).

I guess a bit of background firstly... 40 odd and looking for a new challenge in life. Have had exposure to motor craft being around the military for 20+ years but only brief exposure to sailing vessels (hobicat and smaller whilst on holidays). I would like to transition to a livaboard vessel that is of size enough to take the missus and 3 kids away on trips - blue water eventually. Between these adventures I would more than likely be needing to do a lot of solo sailing.

Lets call it a 5 year plan.

I have spent many months looking at boats online, watching YouTube Videos, checking out blogs. Have started the RYA Shorebased Skippers Course via correspondence. Maxed out the town library's book borrowing once and am about to do it again. Picked up on ebay a bulk sale on cruising helmsman and the like and got in contact with the local sailing instructor to start lessons next month on their 20 ft yacht.

Ive come to the conclusion that Im after a 38 - 44 ft Steel or GRP centre cockpit to livaboard whilst learning to sail. Obviously I have a whole heap of "would likes" but in the end they wont mean a pinch of proverbial unless I can handle it (eventually) solo.

During my research I have seen a few must haves for solo sailing but would like to pick your collective brains if ok.

Most of what I've read point out many aspects that suit a single hander... ie tiller over a wheel, single backstay over double, strong solid mast over a mast furling main, wind vane steering system, self tailing winches, furling headsails, Electric anchor winch, lazy jacks...and so on.

I've just found a book by Andrew Evans online - Thoughts, Tips, Techniques and Tactics on Single Handed Sailing... Its very informative but as far as I can tell (just found it as I'm typing) its aimed at dedicated solo sailing so more talking about 25-30 footers.

Can you guys as a sailing collective pinpoint bottom line requirements that I should look for in a vessel closer to 40 foot? In particular what are the war stoppers that a few extra dollars cant over come ie addons vs overhauls. For example someone mentioned that its fair enough to bring the rigging back to the cockpit but if you have to leave the helm to run to the front of the cockpit then its a pain in the arse to a single hander... if winches aren't accessible at the helm is it a big issue??? Would you need to bring them to the rear of the cockpit? I imagine that's a big job. How many sheets/winches need to be accessible from the helm - leave the mainsail halyard on the mast - just run the genoa and jib back?

Sorry if this is at all sounding a bit novice but I'm hoping there's wisdom in knowing what I don't know. Id love to start to narrow down what I'm looking for in a boat.

Thanks... I hope...



Shamus