After much discussion by the four of us, we've concluded that we're pretty
much there, as far as being able to afford something in the $300K range. The
basic philosophy we're using (and have used individually and collectively
for most big purchases) has been to save for twice the expected cost. This
has the effect of allowing us some wiggle room with purchase prices in
general, not feeling like we're cash broke after a major purchase (e.g.,
with our two mortgages, we can afford twice the current monthly payment), it
gives us the ability to incur after-sale expenses (oh, yeah, I guess a
sailboat does need a mast), and extends the time before one or more of us
needs to seriously get back to work. (Two of us will be standing down from
active work for the better part of 1-2 years, the other two will head back
into the grinder in less than a year.)

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such as
for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty much
go all in or did you do something similar?

--
Nom=de=Plume