Hi Duckwheat.
Welcome to Cruiser Log. Sounds as though you have a good plan going, which should eventually take you wherever in the world you wish to sail. When looking for a boat, I am sure you have settled the criteria in your mind as to what you want.
WARNING--WARNING...Broad generalisation coming up!
I would advise caution when looking at boats which have completed a circumnavigation. After all, most people would not buy a second hand motorbike on the recommendation that it has just travelled 50,000 miles during an around the world trip.
The advertising slogan "....just finished a circumnavigation, ready to go again", is similar in meaning to a real estate ad for a house which is "....a renovators dream". Faced with a choice between an ocean proven 45' XYZ brand, and a similar 45' XYZ brand which has pottered up and down inland canals all its life, I would choose the latter to look at first. Then the former to see how to set up the latter after purchasing the former. (Wot
?)
Either way, I recommend the cruising lifestyle. You will meet a lot of very good people who want to see the world in a unique, environmentally low impact way. Travel in peace, with respect and humility, and you can't fail.
Cheers
David
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