The upside (besides the boat and the sailing):
You get to meet a group of people who DO share your interest passionately, some who study every aspect of sailing and boating, some who just sorta hang out. Either way, interesting characters doing interesting things with interesting crazy assed stories to tell if you (me) can just shut up an let them tell the story.
I've been sailing all of five years, owned or own four boats, 3
dinghy's and have probably sunk a years pay into boating. I've driven my understanding wife half crazy (and convinced her to put up with it); and gotten myself elected commodore of my local yacht club - mainly cus I volunteer, and most everyone has already been commodore before
and along the way I've met this wonder group of people that share my passions to the point where they get sunburned and / or frozen cheeks right along side me whether I'm on their boat or mine.
I wouldn't change it for anything.