1) What time yesterday do you need to buy your boat? ..g

IOW, don't rush into things, or you'll burn out quick or get into
trouble. There's lots to know about boats, and what of that actually
matters really depends on the individual. Mostly you need to learn about
yourself in relationship to this boat thing you're thinking of getting
into.

2) It's almost always really dumb, in every way, to buy big expensive
toys without having lots of personal experience. Once you have
experience, you start to know what questions to ask and to form some of
your own opinions. Without that, nothing anybody says much matters one
way or another.

3) A boat isn't a set of skies - at least not for most people's budget
or liability insurance coverage. You don't go buy one and try it out and
have a bang bang weekend to talk about at the office. Unless you're in
the bucks and can afford to write off some really _big_ mistakaes.

So go get some experience. It's easy. It can be free. It's fun. You want
sail boat? Go be rail meat for some racing skippers at the local yacht
clubs. Learn some ropes. Get screamed at. Bloody you hands. Stuff a
spiniaker. Puke over the side. Sop up brew at the commiseration bar
after the race. Take the CG Auxiliary courses.

Boats are great - go for it. But give yourself a chance. Let somebody
else pay the $2000 for a ripped sail. Let somebody else insurance cover
the gash he makes in the paint of the neighboring rich guy at the dock.
Make a fool of yourself in front of your sneering comrades - who might
at least get a good laugh out of it - instead of in front of your scared
****less "significant other". Let the _owner_ get freaked out when his
GPS batteries run out and the fog comes down - see how a real pro does
it so you find how _you_ would like to do it. g

You may decide you'd like ocean motorboat racing better - much faster,
louder, and macho. Or maybe kayaking will start to look better...

Rufus