Hi all - thanks for all the welcoming posts. Although currently between boats I have some experience cruising the Pacific Nortwest and south Florida - two completely different experiences. In the PNW I sailed a Cheoy Lee 36 and a Cruise-a-home 40. I finally got tired of the weather and sold the Cruise-a-home and moved the sailboat to Florida. Turns out that a 6' draft is a real inconvenience in South Florida, especially on the west coast where I went first. Say goodbye sailing and hello Carver 36' Mariner. Moved to east coast and got tired of the problems and expense of gas, so sold the Carver and bought a Mainship 34. While I loved the Mainship, it was too small for me, my wife, my mother who now lived with us, two cats and a dog. Next it was a Jefferson 37. A wonderful boat, perfect for our needs. Unfortunately my wife got sick and we had to stop boating. Goodbye Jefferson. I lost my wife about a year and a half ago but my mother is still with me. She is 101 and can't boat but it is still in my blood. I spend a lot of time on Yachtworld - "boat porn" my friend calls it

. I hope to be buying my next boat within a year or two at the most. That's my story and I'm looking forward to hearing yours.