Milt, This is what you do. Find a couple of yacht clubs or marinas in your reasonable area. The marinas always have a boat that ends up neglected and someone quit paying the slip fees. The marina or club seizes the boat and sells it to free up space and get rid of the boat (not to mention getting some back rent for the slip). Our club has done that and someone usually picks up a good boat for under $1K. All you might have to do is a real good cleaning and basic maintenance because of neglect. I know someone that picked up a Cabo Rico (37' bluewater boat) for less than he sold his Catalina 24. He ended up with a boat worth about $100K for a song. The deals are there, you just have to look.

Either way, keep sailing.

Clayton