Ok Mick, a snippet of my story.
Everyone else can skip to the next post.
I'm only a beginner serious sailor with a long-time passion for the ocean. I grew up with a great waterway as my back yard. Port Stephens and Myall lakes. Had a boat license before my car L plates.
Dad taught me to fish from our 11-foot savage Gull (its still in his garage) I learnt to water ski at about 8 years old.
Taught myself to barefoot in my teens and competed in barefoot drag racing, I still have the trophies. Plus I did a bit of boat circuit racing (no trophies as it was slow even with a 350 chev) Oh I have circuit raced cars, raced hill climb championships (yes more trophies) Plus a few very fast motor bikes have lived in my garage.
Did a bit on fishing trawlers, owned ski boats/race boats (21 foot Judd Craft), jet ski, last boat was half cab fishing boat that I took out side fishing almost every weekend for the last 3 years. (I just sold it 3 weeks ago. 2015 tournament 2000 with a 200 HO Gen2)
I started sailing as a schoolboy, flying 11, had a VJ with banana boards (do you know what they are?) that I raced badly (both had jibs) , as well as lots and lots of time on beach cats back in the day over many years.
I have Kite surfed for over 15 years as well as surf ski and Sup surf plus MTB in the bush.
So you have the picture I have been around boats and water all my life.
As for current sailing, as said next to know one on here knows me or my plans (although cisco thinks he know my drinking habits

)
I have quietly taken the advice of many members on here over many years. I have read posts, listened to ideas, joined in occasionally, followed links, googled etc. Plus read books on sailing.
I joined a local sailing club, crew on a hanse 37 cruising / racing yacht for a few seasons on Saturdays and a 32 footer twilight mid week, as well as being asked to crew on other boats. Think I'm up to 5 at last count that I have crewed on. The wealth of information learnt from different skippers and different boats is widespread, some of which I'll take forward as the way to do things and some I'll make sure I won't copy.
Its amazing how similar boats are set up so different.
We race both enclosed water as well as the ocean, we did a 24-hour race earlier this year around the cans, boy was that mentally tough as blowing something like 15 to 25 knots the whole race. But we finished and had a beer before falling asleep for a few hours, PS nothing would have woken me after 20 minutes (and you want to do 4 months Pfffftttt) April we raced to and in Sail Port Stephens.
As to my sailing in the future, I am 3 years into a 5 year plan. It will involve the purchase of a boat as a live aboard, said boat will not be a project boat, it will be a turn key, set up to go (well as close to set up as available as possible) Ill be looking for a boat that has completed such a trip im planning. I actually have been looking, going to boat shows for many years, I know what I want, what my needs are and what id like the boat to include. It is best to have a list of Necessary and Optional equipment.
Ill be sailing north for about 6 months for long service leave. No, not nonstop, I'm planning many stops around the top of Aus, ill put tenants into my home to help fund the trip as well as seasonal work if I choose to extend longer away from work. (ill pack my passport just in case I get lost)
So that gives me another 2 years to gain experience and confidence before my adventure,
I have the support of my family and friends (my daughter has requested a dive compressor be on board)
**** iv done a bit in my life hey

PS, if any knows of a late model galley up facing forward 40 / 44 for Leopard please get in touch
https://www.boatsales.com.au/boats/details/2019-leopard-catamarans-45/SHRM-AD-520944/?Cr=14&psq=(And.Service.Boatsales._.Make.LEOPARD%20CATAMARANS.)&pso=12&pss=AdvertAge
Ok I need lotto win for that one
Or
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-catamarans/leopard-39-3-cabin-owners-version/230270