Not really qualified to talk about this as I have never been involved in one or crossed an ocean yet but from what I have read it is a bit of a 'rich mans' game, not just the fees but the equipment and social life!
It occures to me that you might be able to pay an experienced instructor to go on a passage with you and teach you what you need to know plus give you the confidence needed for less, depends if you want the sailing experience or the social life/organisation?

Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster http://www.voya.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk//MW1/Intropage.htm