How Old is Too Old to Learn to Sail ?

[J Clark H356]

I will be 65 in 2 months and had a Snark sailboat I sailed on inland lakes when I was in high school. Didn't really know anything about sailing as in Tennessee during the late 50's, early 60's sailing was limited to a small group on Kentucky Lake - but I didn't know anything about it. At 50, I decided to get into sailing again and my wife and I bought a new Hunter 260. We traded that in on a new Hunter 356 in 2003 and are now on our 10th season at Kentucky Lake on it - 15th season on the lake. I have sailed extensively on Kentucky Lake and made several trips offshore in SW Florida to Dry Tortugas, Key West and Charlotte Harbor area on friends boats and rentals from Burnt Store.

Was with a crew of 4 that took a Cabo Rico 38 from Kentucky Lake down the Tenn-Tom to the Gulf and to Punta Gorda. You are way too young to develop limits. Go for it.

[barnakiel]

I do not think there is such a thing as 'too old'.

Still, you must consider the obvious: we learn slower as we get older, we get less nimble, our stamina is lower. The good news is our budget is usually higher!

I think you should start sailing immediatelly - get into it NOW. Get a small dink, a windsurfer, a Mirror, join a sailing club, go ice-sailing, read, learn, mix up with the sailing crowd NOW.

Then, when you decide you do want to go for it, you will already be half way there, or beyond.

I am always (well, nearly) against the 'go now' urban knowledge. But I say do NOW as much as you can towards your tomorrow's adventure and you will be a better, happier and safer sailor further down the road.

Cheers,
barnie

[limejucer]

For easyer sail handeling you can also try junk rig
better for jibes etc. less standing rigging and strings to pull.

[zenkayaker]

and better on the "vibes" lol later gumby/zenkayaker

[Mr B]

If you dont have sailing ability or sea savvy.

Go out fishing on motorised fishing charters, they only go out a couple of miles at the most,

Not Marlon fishing, Etc, Just small fish, Whatever they have on your seas,

Study the ocean from the deck while your fishing, It will tell you a lot about the waves and what they do,

Ask the crew on board to tell you what it all means,
It will surprise you what these people can teach you,

You May find that the ocean does not appeal to you,

This is a quick way to find out.

If you want to know some thing else about the ocean, Just come on here and ask,

You will get answers from some extremely knowledgable people,

You will also get the jokers, Have a laugh,

You will also get answers from people on here who I dont think have ever seen a sea. Hahahahahahaha

Help your self, Its all on Here, But you have to look for it,

63 in skin, Coming onto 13 in the mind.
I Ride One of the fastest motorcylces ever made, On the road.
I downhill snow ski.
I dance rockabilly, Rock and Roll.

Old people are the ones that are incapable of physicall Excersion in any way,

Just totally worn themselves out, Thats what I call old, And lying on your death bed,

Hahahahahahahaha

Cheers,
Brian,