It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. Crewing on other people’s boats costs very little, club dinghy sailing is fairly affordable, and owning a yacht is the expensive end because of berthing, maintenance and insurance.
The cost of sailing depends mostly on one thing: owning a boat, and what kind of boat it is.
- Crewing is the cheapest way to sail. Skippers who need crew rarely charge, although you may be asked to join the club or share the cost of food and fuel. Your main costs are suitable clothing and, ideally, your own lifejacket.
- Lessons are a one-off cost and are usually good value for what they teach. Club courses tend to be less expensive than commercial schools.
- Club boats. Many clubs have dinghies or small keelboats that members can use, which lets you sail regularly without buying a boat.
- Owning a dinghy is the most affordable form of boat ownership. Second-hand dinghies are widely available, they can be kept on a trailer or in a club dinghy park, and they need relatively little maintenance.
- Owning a yacht is the expensive end. Beyond the purchase price there are running costs every year: a marina berth or a mooring, antifouling and hauling out, insurance, servicing the engine and the safety equipment, and replacing sails, ropes and rigging as they wear out. These ongoing costs are the part new owners most often underestimate.
A sensible path for most people is to take a course, crew for a season or two, and use club boats before deciding whether to buy. By then you will know what kind of sailing you enjoy, which makes it much easier to choose the right boat, and to judge whether the costs are worth it to you.
Don’t save money on safety gear. A well-maintained lifejacket and a reliable way of calling for help are not optional extras.