How do u start in multiplayer?

How do u start in multiplayer, in singelplayer i tend to have my starter ship around for 5 hours pretty much redesigning it into a temporary mobile base to gather enough resources and such to start a regular base... but since the starter ships disapear when u log out does it mean if i wanne start out i need to at least plan to spend 5 hours orso ingame? (i'm highly unefficient btw) also should i play multiplayer if i can only play like 2 - 3 hours a day? or will it lead to me having to start over nonstop because of veterans having the upper hand?

ty in advance for replys and reading this :)