There are lots of ways to get started sailing. Last week’s edition of WaterLine mentioned a couple. But at some point in your sailing career, you will consider having your own sailboat. This is a natural and not necessarily expensive idea.

The way we started, crewing on someone else’s boat, was inexpensive but fulfilling. Owning your own boat costs a bit more but can be even more satisfying. The first choice is whether to look for a new or used boat. Pre-owned vessels cost less up front, but buying anything used requires a complex calculus of money spent, sweat equity and realistic usage patterns. To get the best value, share the decision with someone who has knowledge of the product. The boats mentioned below have active owner associations on the Internet that help with that.