Commercial yachties...advice please!

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Without going into too much detail, a number of things are pointing me towards having a few years living the dream and pursuing a career in yachting, ideally with the other half. I know there are a few professional yachties on PH, so I just wanted some "real world" advice.

We are both mid 30s professionals, no kids, limited ties/commitments (could sell the car, rent the house) and keen sailors with lots of experience (we have our own boat). I've had a look at a few of the career guides online, however many are circulated by sailing schools who will obviously have a vested interest. Any advice on the industry would be gratefully accepted, however I have the following questions for starters...

Career path/salary...there seems to be a huge gulf between salaries on superyachts and smaller yachts. I'd like to get into a skipper role ASAP, on something fairly modest, but earning at least enough to justify the fairly hefty training investment! What's the best route in as a couple?

Training...I guess YM Commercial to start with...would that get me work? The investment involved for the ocean ticket is pretty hefty...how important is it if I was just planning on trying to sail in the Caribbean or med? Or does the extra investment on the training command much better salaries?

Training provider...ideally I'd like to find a provider who might offer a more tailored approach, taking into account my existing total mileage (4000 odd) plus experience as skipper on my own boat and existing qualifications. I've only got DS theory, however for leisure use I've always been a bit skeptical of the RYA tickets, basing my judgements on someones experience and ability rather than bits of paper. Any recommendations for a school who might be a bit more realistic and flexible?

Future...realistically, being in our mid 30s, kids may beckon and we wouldn't do this forever. Are potential yachts/employers at the lower end more interested in younger people who may make it their career forever? I'm not ruling anything out, but I'd be a bit miffed to pack it all in, make the time and money investment and then struggle for suitable roles, or is a bit more maturity something that is looked for in the industry? I've heard some rumours that slightly older stable couples with the right outlook are actually in high demand...is this correct?

Lastly, any regrets for those who have done it? Does it live up to expectations? Or is it going like other careers such as being a pilot where the big salaries or yesterday have gone and it's much more of a "pyramid" set up? For us, this isn't about making loads of money or for that matter putting our feet up...it's about taking a few years out to see a bit of the world via a medium we love, and also to throw ourselves into it professionally and purposefully, whilst not ending up blowing a load of cash in qualifications that we would never see a proper return on.

Thanks!

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Sorry for the slow response but great advice guys, thank you very much. Feelers are still out, discussions to be had, but very interested. Speedyellow, your thing about the 50-60' mark being short of couple crews...would you say in today's market it would be feasible to perhaps do a few months of lower end work before an for something like that as skipper and stew? TBH I'd be more than happy on something pretty modest (ha...Discovery...modest!) or do you really need the full year?

Is there a good time of year to be out there doing he networking? I guess for me timing is everything...it looks like a lot of the UK schools tend to start courses in Jan or July so I might have missed it for this year anyway. Perhaps I need to be looking at getting the ticket in Jan 2013 and heading to the med mid summer?

Thanks again!