Generally, if you live in a house and turn on the light switch or the bathroom
shower, you expect these services to
work. They
work because you pay someone or a utility to provide that
service.
The quick lesson on a boat is that this is no longer true. These services only work if you understand and manage them yourself. Boats have reticulation systems that houses don't have. In-built engines,
fuel systems, low voltage systems, anchorage systems,
hull cleaning, varnishing/painting and
anti-fouling issues, mind boggling
insurance, no garage for the car; and all this in a cramped, chemically aggressive and bouncing
environment.
But what a boat does provide is a sense of relative freedom. You can go places. You tend to meet more competent souls and you learn a lot. And the sea is a place of beauty and moods. There are also many unspoken rules that come with boat
ownership or use. You will learn these with experience.
In a house or apartment, you would expect your neighbors to be from a similar financial/social background. Not so in a marina - your neighbors may be a mix of the filthy rich and the desperately destitute.
So I would suggest that just "messing around with boats" such as assisting with slippage work, doing a course on
marine engines,
navigation courses,
crewing for others etc. will give you some important insights and ... all going well... you may come across an offer to live on board or even see the boat you want to buy.
Also, your circle of friends an acquaintances may need to change.