Tom,

Don't overlook the Schreder ships, a lot of bang for the buck and
metal to boot. There is an RS-15 for sale in FL for $10K, easily able
to handle your weight and reported to be one of the most comfortable
models in the Schreder series.

BUT, I would suggest you continue to save (or sell) and look for a
ship that requires NO immediate attention. This is the voice of
experience; I didn't wait, I bought a ship that needed a "little"
work, but was cheap. I now have spent more than the cost of many
available, great flying ships, and still am not flying!

I AM having fun re-building the old homebuilt, but that hasn't gotten
me into the air in my own ship. Nor was it the original intent!

I'm sure there will be many other suggestions from the chorus.

Mike