Hi gpspadi,
So much of this is just where I am at too!
Same kind of budget and same types of boat choices, although I'm thinking more around a 50' .
I am 6'2" so also need to watch the internal height!
I have however done a huge amount of carpentry, kitchen fitting, house refits and three panel van to camper van conversions though, so the sailaway option is where my research is at the moment (I appreciate that narrowboats aren't the same as houses and vans, but I'm just saying that I'm reasonably "handy" and also set up with all the gear and used to the routine of long hard physical working days).
…...However, like yourself, if the right £25-£30K boat came along then that is really interesting as it would mean I'm afloat this year rather than next!
I think I have decided that its either a £25-£30K boat and spend a bit on it as I go (and maybe do a sailaway in the future), OR a sailaway now.
I just don't seem to be drawn or tempted into spending £45-£50K on a boat even though my overall budget is about that, as I am fairly sure I would pull the boat interior apart anyway!
I guess the challenge is finding a £25-£30K boat with a sound hull, engine and gearbox. I'm not sure if this is correct (and just the state of my own probably poor research), but there are a few ex-hire boats that come in the £25-£30K bracket and for me personally I would probably need a stove and solar fitting almost from the off. It seems that decent stoves and flues are just shy of £1000 in total and a decent solar set up is again about another £1000 - but again, I may be wrong on both of those prices, I'm just trying to suss it all out myself.
I was recommended to pop over to Wilton Marina - and am going to do just that in the next few weeks.
I promise not to hog your thread gpspadi ( ! ) but I will be interested to see what some of the experienced members of this forum might have to say.
Oh, and I wish you all the very best in your hunting for a boat. I hope you keep this thread going and share it with us.
Good luck!