>>2338728Don't buy new. Private seller is better than dealership if you're smart enough to not get bamboozled, just like buying a car. Facebook marketplace is the king of buying used shit online now. Also try the boat-specific forum. J22 class has j22forum.
Annapolis has a J/22 fleet and they have a facebook page. They posted two boats for sale in NJ a couple weeks ago. You could ask about used boats there and about riding as crew. Say something about being interested in joining the fleet but wanting to see what it's like.
If you're gonna crew on someone else's boat, have your gear sorted
>encouraged polarized sunnies or hat with brim for seeing wind patterns on the water and staring up at sails in the sun>gloves (Atlas Tem-Res on amazon for very cold weather, Walmart "True Sailor" for everything else)>spray top or rain shell>optional rain pants or spray pants>quickdry/warm+thin layers>some clean gym type shoes>folding knife of any kind>lifejacket that doesn't look retarded and has a zippered pocket for your knife/a whistle/some trail mix or whatever (mobility is the name of the game)>water bottle>optional 6pack for afterwardsSince you should anyway, (this is /out/ after all) know how to reliably tie a bowline, figure eight, round turn and two half hitches, square/reef knot, sheet bend, to coil and puddle line, and make line fast to a horn cleat. Youtube some "parts of the boat" so you know mostly what the lines are called. And don't stomp around on the boat, move like a cat.
If you can show up with this and you aren't a sperg you will 100% get invited back. Rinse and repeat until you know how to sail.
>>2339097Looks like a Melges 32, very cool picture anon. Did you put up the kite? Is the main reefed?
