My wife and I want to begin the loop in April/May 2020 leaving from south west coast of Florida-Englewood-we are looking to buy a suitable boat sometime in the fall of 2019 or early 2020 with the intention of becoming comfortable with the boat between purchase and departure. Our budget tops at 60k. Would be very interested in talking to anyone out there whose plan might mesh with ours. Thanks cliff
A. Once you have a boat, you will have more friends.
Are you anticipating taking a couple of extra folks along for at least part of the ride? If so, get a 2 stateroom boat, two heads. Wet heads are inconvenient because you have to wipe down the walls and floors after taking a shower. Ideally, a washer/dryer that will wash and wrinkle your clothing for you.
For a fact, sleeping on that slide out berth in the salon is not the best and it takes up time to assemble and disassemble and if you end up with late sleepers, you are trapped in the stateroom. My golden hearted 'house mouse' has her parents from Vietnam here. I gave up the stateroom because I wake early and start breakfast after the first cup of coffee and reading the news.
In another month, they will go home and I think her sister is coming over for a visit, duration unknown. It is a blending of 2 cultures and an interesting experience. SMILE
So, 2 staterooms, 2 head, one dry shower.
Storage space for food and clothing will be at a premium with a one stateroom boat and not much better with a 2 stateroom recreation vessel. You must impress on your traveling guest, minimum clothing..... no tux, no formals, shorts, tops, a couple pair of slacks, a dress shirt or two. Everything should be wash and wear. Then there is the conservation of water and then, the marine head. That is a subject best be discussed after you and your wife 'discover' how quickly the sanitary tank can fill up and the FW tank empty. LOL
Of course, I have ignored the mechanics features of the boat, ie generator, main engine, fuel tanks, water tanks, sanitary tank, ideally a water maker too. I will let other address those.