I changed the plan a little. Not one boat, but two.

Boat one is a tiny starter boat. A dinghy or a small sailboat, something I can handle alone and fix myself. This is where I learn to sail, make mistakes in shallow water and earn my licence.

Boat two is the project boat. A real cruising boat that I can slowly bring back to life. But only after I know what I am doing.

This way I do not have to learn everything on a boat that can hurt me, or my wallet. Small first. Then bigger, when I have earned it.

Finding both will take time, maybe months. That is fine. The hunt is part of the story.