On Thu, 01 Jul 2004 19:58:19 -0400, something compelled Wilfred
Johnson , to say:

We were thinking of about a 50' sail boat to live on and to sail close
to the coast. What would be a good boat to look at that is the best
value? We like the looks of a 51 foot Formosa but have read that they
are not built that well.

A fifty foot boat is a lot of boat, and the nature of your
question seems to suggest that you don't have a lot of
experience. I see a situation whe

1. You find that making the transition from
'home' to 'boat' will take up half
the morning, and become easier and easier
to forgo.

2. You find that a fifty foot boat is just too much to
handle for the occasional day sail.

I'd suggest a land home close to the water, and something in the
twenty eight to thirty two foot range for the costal day sail or
the occasional overnight run.

Or not. It's your bliss, follow it.