Newbie - Is 57 too Old to Learn how to Sail?

[DumnMad]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

I would guess it depends on your goals. If the OP is strongly attracted to the traveling/liveaboard aspect, then getting a suitably large boat right off the bat might make sense, and the sailing is just the skills one uses to get from place to place.

We're into sailing as well as wanting to cruise. So we have a small boat that's dirt-cheap to own and sail, and provides some unique short "cruising" experiences, while we think about our longer-term cruising goals. If the OP wants to experience sailing before relocating to the coast, a small trailerable micro-cruiser is a good first boat.

+1 Great advice. After 22 months living on board we've learned a lot about plumbing and drainage, batteries and off grid power, marine diesel supply and raw water engine cooling etc. We've had a little sailing and always with crew - but we are much older than you.

[Capt Phil]

Fifty-seven is way too old to learn anything! Not only will you probably kill yourself by falling overboard or suffering a heart attack, but you may well run into someone and take them out along with yourself. Anyone over 55 should stay at home, read books and send stupid missives like this one to CF... signed 'lookin' at 80'. AKA Capt Phil

[Capt'n Ricko]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

Fifty-seven is way too old to learn anything! Not only will you probably kill yourself by falling overboard or suffering a heart attack, but you may well run into someone and take them out along with yourself. Anyone over 55 should stay at home, read books and send stupid missives like this one to CF... signed 'lookin' at 80'. AKA Capt Phil

Really? Wow!

Maybe he should just reserve his burial plot and wait...?

[fjwiley1]

Capt'n Ricko....I think Capt Phil is jerking your halyard......this is a very encouraging Thread for all those out there that are asking themselves similar questions about "shoving off"...look at all of the positive comments.......

Life is good....just keepa Smilin.....

[Capt'n Ricko]

Originally Posted by fjwiley1

Capt'n Ricko....I think Capt Phil is jerking your halyard......this is a very encouraging Thread for all those out there that are asking themselves similar questions about "shoving off"...look at all of the positive comments.......

Life is good....just keepa Smilin.....

I was assumin' he cant be serious!

Cheers! & Fair Winds!

[Capt Phil]

Hey, Capt'n Ricko.. +1! Used to have a boat called Second Wind as well but now use oxygen as it is better for hangovers... Phil

[fjwiley1]

You are correct......he would be "walkin the plank" if he was serious around this crew>>>>>>

[fjwiley1]

Capt'n Ricko......you are correct....if he was...with this crew he'd " be a walkin the plank" in blue water>>>>>>

[Capt'n Ricko]

Capt Phil: Thanks for the tip on Oxygen

[Oceanride007]

Don't forget your first mate. She is a great asset and needs to be brought along gently.
In the marginal times she will watch your back. I do not have such a asset.

I can sail well & know stuff as I can without owning a boat. But it was educational to be in the hands of a delivery skipper, when thing turned to crap.

I've contemplated which way to go, either get a ideal first boat or something that I know I can onsell more easily, both have merits but compromise is everywhere.

Do something now, do some lessons and delivery, who knows you or your partner may get sea sick but do it now before the greatest thief takes away what is truly valuable, time.

[mtarcher]

We had a fellow show us "how to sail" in a week, and whilst learning, bought our 1st boat. Our instructor offered the best advice, buy at the low end of what you can afford, and get out there and learn. We've learned more in the 5 winter seasons, here in the Caribbean, than I could've ever imagined...especially, how easy it is to overbuy on the size/price of a sailboat. We've seen it so often: folks come down here, buy an expensive boat, spend a lot of $$ fixing it up to sail across oceans, then abandon the dream after 1 season.

[mtarcher]

Oh, yeah...I forgot to mention that all of that was done at age 52!

[sailnguy]

Hey the guy that taught me to sail 30 years ago told me "it takes 10 minutes to learn how to sail and the rest of your life to get good at it" You can learn the basics quickly. Take my advice and never scare your mate or you will be selling the boat or finding a new mate.
Find a local yacht club, get involved and volunteer to crew anytime you can. You will learn from a whole lot of people. The only way to get really good is to buy your own boat (after youve had your 10 minutes) and rack up the sea time. You will make mistakes, but you learn from them. Before you know it you will be a seasoned vet!

[boatman61]

Forget about chartering.. unless your happy to throw away good money for little/no return for a week or two.. apart from a holiday somewhere nice.. where you may never sail again.
For about the same money you can buy a little 22ftr that you can play on and learn to maintain in home waters.. on a regular basis..
Stick to nice days with winds 10kts and less for a few weeks.. then as confidence builds in both you and your Missus start moving up to 15ktrs.. do your reefing early.. leave the speed to the folk with the go faster stripes and have the RIBS with 15hp+ dragging behind em.. you'll see more.. learn more control and have less stress.. and that's what sailing is supposed to be about..
Cutting down of self infliction..
The RYA have two levels of Yacht Master Certification... Tidal 5*.. and non-Tidal 3* which is done in the Med.. learn the 5* way and you'll do 3* in your sleep..

[Greggegner]

Originally Posted by sailnguy

"it takes 10 minutes to learn how to sail and the rest of your life to get good at it"

The quote is so true. Think of a cruise not as going far distance, but sailing to the next port or anchorage, and then the next day the next port. A few times you will go farther than you like, but the distance and difficulty will naturally increase, or not. You can have a wonderful time on the East coast for years and never spend a night off-shore. I also agree more boat is not always better. Once you go above 40' finding a docking becomes harder, not to mention costs increase.