[Jay Auskin]

We had a boat as a "vacation home" for quite a while. On Chain O' Lakes before they became a suburb. Then on Lake Michigan...St. Joseph, on St. Joe River. Lake Michigan is usually too rough to enjoy anything, spent too much time on St. Joe River.

Get a bigger boat than you need, realize it's a lot of work unless you want to always be paying someone.

As others said, stick to "good" makes. We had a Carver Santa Cruz in the 80's and pops sold it for exactly what he paid new.

I really liked the boat as a kid. My parents never seemed relaxed.

Former neighbors of mine in the city bought a sail boat and had it in Monroe Harbor at one of the buoys off shore. Consider Chicago as an option. Sometimes it's boring sitting on the boat, and you need to consider what's around you. It's the perfect summer condo in the city w/o the assessments and taxes. Also...as a tall fella, I have to say I prefer the (generally) taller headroom of a sailboat. Nothing wrong with putting around with the diesel when there isn't wind.