Thanks for the response.

Yes I did my YM practical about 5 years ago on a course with 3 month trip to Gib and back

Your suggestion on boat selection is fair, it will very much be a case of checking out what is available at the time. Getting a well found boat will take priority over size & cost, if I have to go over Ł50K by the time she is ready to go then so be it.

Have to say g/f is pretty easy going (well she has put up with me for the last 3 years) and I think will be OK with a basic life on a boat.... Neither of us are going into this totally blind so hopefully should not be too shocked. Sea sickness is my major worry for her.