RickB said:
Which are very minimal and mostly related to sidelights, radio use, fire extinguishers, and other minor items that a "well found" vessel would ordinarily follow in any event. There is nothing that even approaches being considered a "show stopper."
My reply was appropriate for this thread, especially when you consider that the OP is completely new to boating. For experienced skippers the added requirements may not be much. For a newbie, it is a more to learn and more tasks to keep track of when underway. Especially while still trying to learn the very basic of basics. The OP can not walk yet and we are saying that "running hurdles in track is no big deal, you just gotta jump every so often. Go for it. You won't fall on your face."
For example: the OP doesn't even know how to use a VHF and yet somehow it is ok to start off having to monitor 16 and 13 with call signs and a radio log? It is not complicated, but if you have never even talked over a VHF it is more to learn while you already have so much else to learn.
The OP and others on the board are pretty quick to brush aside any extra complications as no big deal without taking into account that the OP has zero experience and even the most basic and simple things will be a learning experience, so piling on more and more becomes a big deal. There are so many facets to a newcomer looking at not just a play toy boat, but instead a really big, very complex, very heavy, live aboard, and long distance cruising vessel. Other than a merchant ship it doesn't get more complicated for a person with zero experience.
Just because the OP has patched drywall, repaired houses, and has a very optimistic way of posting doesn't mean the OP has the skills to operate large machinery in a very hostile environment effected by wind, current, obstacles, water depth, and other traffic. We don't know how well the OP judges distances, set/drift, turning radius, or stopping distance. And the OP has no real crew, just a bunch of very young kids and a mom, so would be very much single handling if not really distracted keeping kids in line.
Does the OP even know what "spring line" means?
By keeping below 20 meters, places like West Marine can help and answer questions. The information publications available everywhere for standard safety equipment and navigation cover 20 meters or less. Below 20 meters the OP could find relevant information just about anywhere, even from other boaters at the marina.
At most every marina and even here on this board most boaters are completely unaware that anything is different when you exceed 20 meters since not many owner operated boats are greater than that. Usually only paid Captains have any idea what I am talking about, owners do not.
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Gene :^)
Http://www.Strathbelle.com/
Becoming a live aboard is a lot more expensive and harder than most people think. Too bad as she sounded promising? However, with the number and the age difference it would be difficult/trying. My folks would never ever live on a boat and stayed on the boat twice. My mother wore a live vest the whole time. 
Shoot we did not know we were a live aboard until they started charged us a LAB fee. What is a LAB fee? 
Much rather curl up with my quilt, blanket, and take a nap! 
