What kind of yacht??

Steph, every boat built needs fettling in some way. The older ones just have less electonic rubbish on them, just simple, honest engineering will suffice.

Oh, and a sprinkle of good fortune!

Pilgrim 40 canal-trawler

I might make the suggestion you get a copy of this book (available kindle) about a Canadian couple who nothing of boats, who bought and cruised the inland waterways on a nostalgic looking 40 footer that is very economical to operate. I posted some links here:




https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Miles-Hour-Retiring-Trawler-ebook/dp/B00REQJR84/

You could buy one of these and have a great time/introduction to boating,...then very likely resell it for near what you have invested (possible even a little bit more being that they are somewhat rare). There is even a Canadian owner and hiswife that have a REALLY nice one for sale, that while higher in price than others, it is COMPLETELY equipped.
Real Mountie http://pilgrim40forsale.blogspot.ca/
And I'll bet the owner would be more than helpful with the learning process.

This is not an offshore vessel design, but it could cruise all the US waterways, and the Bahamas.

Trawler/Houseboat

You might consider one of these. Great layout and there use to be some very good buys on some good examples, but you need an experienced person to help you pick out a good one.
Chris Craft Catalina 381

http://cdn.*****************.com/bo...)/Chris Craft/381 Catalina DC/Floorplan 2.jpg

I almost bought one of these from an estate sale for living aboard,...until I found i could not get my wife to live on the water.

Gas engines make them cheap to purchase, but much less to repair. probably would not be doing a lot of long traveling in it, but if keep at reasonable speeds might not be that harsh on fuel cost.

Great layout

( Go to google images for the layout picture)