Also, keep in mind that the ship rules are NOT spread out. You have the basic rules needed to run nautical adventures in the PHB and DMG. The rules in the appendix of Saltmarsh are extra, expanded rules. Just like all the downtime, racial feats, and tool proficiency, etc. rules in Xanathars are some extra crunch for those who want it. You can still play D&D just fine with the PHB & DMG.
Personally, I get more upset by trying to work in errata. But because of D&D Beyond, I always have the most up to date, corrected, rules content. I don't have to buy multiple printings of the same book.