This is a great size for a first liveaboard sailboat, as many, if not most, marinas in the SF Bay Area require a boat that is 35 ft or longer. The Ericson's of this vintage are well regarded, and there's an active community of enthusiasts to advise you on operation, maintenance, and repair. In all of my encounters with Trevor, he as struck me as intelligent, forthright, and reasonable, and I expect that you will be pleased with the selling process with him.