Novice here. Trying to figure out if I want to start learning PHP/MySQL.

My first project - create a database with a list of boats that have attributes inlcuding, make, model, size, and price ...

Have that data show up in a specific format on a page.

This would not be a transaction site, just display results. "Show me all the power boats you have in stock that are pre-owned and under 20 feet."

To update that information, the client would be able to simply upload an Excel file via FTP and all is updated - makes it simple for them.

Is this a good beginner project? Should I go a different route? Should I set it up so the client logs in to update the inventory?

Thanks for the expected feedback!

HAving the user just upload an excel file, and updating the database it not possible.

You would have to have some really complicated code behind it all, extract the data from the excel sheet, so as far as the user is concerend thats all there is to it. But it is certainly not a simple think to do.