Hello John, your background sounds very similar to my own. We live in northeast Florida and just purchased our own 5ver after spending almost 30 years on the saltwater scene. Like you, I skulked around this forum seeking information so we could make an intelligent decision on what to buy. You will find a wealth of information in these forums and find everyone most helpful in answering any questions you may have. We ended up purchasing a Heartland Landmark after spending time on the internet chasing the best pricing. The only regret we have so far is that we haven't been able to spend 100% of our time in the Landmark. But, we are in the process of moving toward full time. Again, greetings from a fellow Floridian, and I know you'll enjoy talking with others on these forums.