Hi, have to admit I have been lurking for a number of months.

I am in the process of planning for my (and my girlfriends) escape from these shores in November so thought I would put my plans to the collective brain to see if I am on the right track and to see what advice I can gleen.

Experience: I have sailed for many years around the solent and have a boat here (30ft)
Have done Yachtmasters, two trips to the med from UK and a couple to France.
The girlfriend has very little experience although this summer we will focus on this.

Plan: Rent out both our places and buy 38 to 42 ft yacht (probably in Carribbean). Starting Nov, spend three months cruising the Carib and preparing boat and self then through Panama in Feb and onwards West to see how far we get. I don't plan to bring the boat back to Europe.

Worst case the g/f hates it or there are problems with the boat that prevent us going to Pacific and we spend 4 months cruising the carib sell the boat and contine world tour on a motorbike.

Budget Ł50K for boat (Have done loads of research on what I want/can get. Will see what is available in September) Ł50K to see how far we get.

Questions:
I am currently reading any relevant book I can get my hands on. I don't plan on doing Oceanmasters but what worthwhile/essential courses do you think we should complete before departing. I currently plan on doing the following before leaving.

Both of us - Sea survival, First Aid - Can anyone suggest a good course, I want to do more than the one day I did with my YachtMasters

G/F: VHF course

Me: SSB

Any advice would be appreciated but feel free to shoot me down in flames if you think that I am making any mistakes....