Arlette,
I'm in the same boat as you, so to speak. I caught the ownership bug about 3 years ago, and I still can't get over it. I've tried sailing with other people, but it isn't doing it for me. Everyone that I've sailed with knows that I'm looking, and most of them are pointing me to boats that they think would be a good fit. Everyone that I've sailed with says that I have the skills, and experience. I've looked at boats that I could PAY FOR all up and down the East coast to no avail.
One reason that I don't own a boat now is that, as Sarahfin pointed out, there is no such thing as a
free boat. Paying for a boat (even if the cost is $0) is different from being in a position to AFFORD it. Taking possession of a boat also means taking responsibility.
One example of a like minded person, that tried to keep a boat on the cheap, and had all the right intentions, was taught a lesson by a mid winter storm. I suggest before buying/finding any boat, that you read all about SV Distant Star here:
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/genera...ly-sucked.html This was not a hurricane, mind you, just a run of the mill mid-Atlantic coast storm. In my book, this guy went from being a hero (for saving the boat) to a bum in the course of the thread. I hope that he is eventually held responsible.
Make sure that you can afford to take care of any vessel that you own.
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