I should mention that I assumed you were talking about a power boat, I don't
know much about sailboats.

Ha! "shipping"! Is that not what I will be eventually doing?
I like your sense of humor!

Hehe, that's funny. But I was actually talking about having it shipped by
truck or paying a pilot to bring it up for you.

You say this "on the cheap" as if it were a bad thing. If I
do not have the many big dollars needed to buy such a boat,
then I should not become a boater, is this what you suggest?

I'm just saying make sure you know what you're buying. There is a good
reason why some boats are cheaper than others. You might be okay with those
reasons, just make sure you know what they are.

I thought that this is a message group to encourage boating,
and to welcome new boaters into the society.

It is that, and I do wish to encourage you. But nothing would be more
discouraging than getting into it the wrong way and hating it.

I also would
have insurance to the boat, which would likely cost money, but
it is the prudent thing to do, no?

Definitely get insurance.

I know that I do not know all I need to know, and that I will not
ever learn all there is to know. But I do know I must make all
effort to learn as much as I should, to be safe and fun.

Good. It's a lot of fun and if you enjoy learning you will really enjoy it.
It's the most fun thing I have ever done in my life, I get the feeling you
will find it that way too.

And yes, the wife thinks it's pretty romantic too.