Advice for a first boat and trip

Hi all, first time poster and long time anonymous viewer of the site seeking some advice - thanks in advance!

Essentially planning to take a year off in the next few years and sail along the east coast of Australia initially, followed by some longer trips (e.g. LHI, Fiji). I have 2 main questions:
1) What recommendations would you have for buying/financing a first boat?
- would you opt for taking a loan and buying something a little nicer e.g Jenneau/Beneteau ~$200K
- or would the preference be for something perhaps a little older and buying it outright e.g. $50-100K
- thoughts on private sales vs brokers?

2) Any recommendation on particularly reliable models/makes that are capable of coastal cruising with Bluewater capabilities? I was looking in the 35-45ft range
Some background to help,
I'm a 27yo QLD doctor who likely won't be undergoing this trip for another 3 years, after I sit some very difficult exams - after which I'll take 12 months off. I'd be travelling with my partner who has no experience.

Sailing Experience:
- have completed a few courses in herons over the past 6 months, and helped crew in the odd race
- will be continuing to participate in clubs with further lessons to help abilities/fuel the obsession over the next few years
- 2 weeks on larger monohulls/catamarans in the Whitsundays and Mediterranean in more of a 'party' role
- have recreationally fished on small fishing boats my whole life

Finances
- have about $40K saved currently and continuing to save. Have a car without debt but no other assets, renting at the moment

Apologies for the protracted length but many thanks for your help, it's much appreciated.

Cheers,
D

Take your partner down to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron at Manly and both get crewing positions on a racing yacht. Spend other people's money first while you decide what you both really want.

An alternative suggestion,

Buy a tidy trailer sailer with rust free trailer within your current car's towing capacity. Weekend on it once a fortnight, with some longer trips when possible. Start with dams then work up to bays and coastal hops. Maintain the boat but don't drop money into it unnecessarily. Sell it for what you paid for it in two years.
Both do RYA day skipper to round out your knowledge and to learn how to manoeuvre someone else's keelboat in confined spaces with confidence.

With two years you will have had issues on the water, learnt to live in confined spaces with little, and both of you feel comfortable a practiced in instinctive sailing for a solid base for further keel boat adventures. I suggest you will gain far more than solely crewing on others keelboats.

Then you can approach 1 & 2 from an informed position with two years of extra savings.

You're a doctor. If your sitting exams it's probably for some specialty that is going to earn you big bucks for the rest of your life. I would charter in the Whitsundays.
I would buy something in the $100 to $150k mark that will take you Bluewater cruising with little effort. Although they depreciate and have a high maintanence cost they still have a value so it's still an asset. Boats in that value have generally depreciated already and don't dive in value. Keep your $40k for your travels.

time is precious. I would consider borrowing the money in your situation. And buy a boat through a reputable broker that will guide you through the process (find your own surveyor)

OR buy a nice boat put it with a world wide charter company, it will earn a few dollars it's yours to use and you can also get discounts chartering one of the other vessels in the fleet around the planet

Just to get on the water,if in Sydney - There is a lovely Contessa 25 on Gumtree for <5k ( would grab it myself but already have one ) + also a Swanson 36 for 10k . Could be fun,and not enough $ to frighten ?
Mason

One boat that alot of people enjoy is the Catalina 34 mk ll
Roomy for a 34, sugar scoop stern, wheel steering, masthead single spreader rig,,, alot of enjoyment to be had for approx 100k - 150k .

My 2 cents worth, I agree with Saltiest1, buy a boat based on what your intended use is, you mentioned coastal cruising and some Bluewater crossings.

40 to 45 is the sweet spot for most cruisers. Small enough to access most anchorages and marinas, sail loads are not to large for a couple but the boat is still large enough to carry the fuel water and equipment and provisions needed to go off grid for extended periods in relative comfort for both of you.

I know 40 to 45 sounds large but my 44 is so much easier to handle then a friends 26ft trailer sailor with just two of us. She is a conservative design set up for a couple to cruise and everything she does is predictable and quite forgiving and with large (4") toe rails and grab handles everywhere etc etc moving around is easy. Just going up to the bow on my friends trailer sailor you basically need to crawl for fear of falling off in any type of seaway. A bit of size and weight can make a boat a lot more friendly when the wind picks up a bit.

Big brands are easier to sell but I think you pay more for them and can get a much better bang for you buck if you leave brand name aside and focus on design and construction as the number one and two priorities on your criteria list.

So decide on the length and displacement you want, the construction type you want, the keel and rudder type you want, the rig type you want, then move onto the accommodation you want, the tankage, the equipment, then look at the condition and age etc etc. You will find the list of suitable boats narrows very quickly.

If you don't know what length, displacement,construction, keel rig and other design factors you want then start reading and asking questions so you have a good understanding and will then be able to buy the boat that suits you best.