Venice - Landlocked Start - Navy

So I'm playing as Venice for the first time on the 'East vs West' map type.
My start is inland and I'm trying to think of a way to obtain a navy to escort my troops to the other side later in the game.
The only thing I can think of is purchasing a coastal CS when it has privateers and then winning some naval battles and hoping that the ships will convert rather than be destroyed. Its a strategy that depends on chance. Is there any other way I can get a navy?

I can't even take advantage of Venice's UU. Any thoughts? I'm hoping I've overlooked something.

In normal maps start bias always start Venice on coast. So, that usually not a problem. ON other hand, I am not sure but cannot Venice buy stuff in puppets?

I never play Venice do not like civ, but as far as I know you can buy stuff in puppets, not sure about units.

Just grab a coastal city and buy a navy in that city!

Edit: yeah Venice can buy in puppets.

Awesome! Thanks guys. I didn't realize you can buy in puppets.

Only Venice can buy in puppets