Returning to sailing at age 76

[bermudabob]

Hi all! I have finally retired at age 76. Took me that long to get 5 kids through
college. One of the things in my bucket list was to get back into sailing and to single-hand sail along the New England coast aagin. Maybe even a trip down the ICW. I owned two sailboats in the past. The last one I owned was 25 years ago.
At that time, it was pre: GPS, cell phones and chartplotters so my navigation skills were of the paper and pencil variety. Needless to say I am having electronic navigation culture shock.
I recently bought a 29' Watkins sloop. It came equiped with a Garmin 392 GPS and a Raymarine ST4000 Auto. I am reading the manuals and have also taken a couple of navagation courses as refreshers.
That my story and I'm sticking to it.
i am open to any suggestions or advise.
bermudabob

[Tayana42]

Welcome back to sailing. It sounds as though you already know more than a lot of people I see on the water. Classes in electronic nave are a good idea too.

Age is only a number. Enjoy every day. Sail on.


S/V B'Shert

[oldragbaggers]

Good on you!! I agree that age is only a number. Enjoy life!!

[bill352]

Age is definitely a number.....


....and the older you get, the number you get.

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by bill352

Age is definitely a number.....


....and the older you get, the number you get.

I like that. Can I use it?


S/V B'Shert

[bill352]

Originally Posted by Tayana42

I like that. Can I use it?S/V B'Shert

Well, you certainly have my permission, but I can't be sure it's mine. As I get older, my brain gets.... well, you know. The double meaning of that word is a staple in cryptic crossword clues, and it gets me every time.

But back on topic, to bermudabob - at your (our!) age, you know which parts are numb and how to work around it. I say good on ya, and go get 'em.

[boatman61]

Hey Bob.. good on ya mate..
Read an article recently that said todays 65 is equivilant to 55 of yesteryear with better diets, medicines etc.. so being as I hit 57 this year at 66 you should have no worries..

[Stu Jackson]

Great boat for what you want to do.

Your pre-electronics navigation knowledge is priceless. There have been numerous discussions here on theis and other boating forums about how post-electronics "kids" really don't know much, like the difference between heading & course, SOG and STW, basic stuff like that.

Go for it. Be safe, but you know that already.

[dpddj]

65 is the new 55? Well, that's good to know. Now, if my wrist broken many years ago in a motorcycle accident, two of my right hand knuckles broken in Karate, and the titanium knee can be convinced of that, I am good to go.
Oh, hell, I am good to go regardless.
I forgot the liver part.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by dpddj

I forgot the liver part.

Doesn't that just mean you're a true sailor?

[btrayfors]

Stu has it right; the basics you learned are priceless these days (and, unfortunately, all too rare amongst many newcomers).

Re: electronic navigation stuff: use the GPS-powered chartplotter, but don't take it as gospel. All chart plotters use vector charts which have been hand-digitized from the paper/raster originals. Some suffer from errors of omission as well as errors of commission.

NOAA makes a heroic effort to make sure its vector charts (ENCs) agree with its paper/raster charts (RNCs). But vector charts found in chartplotters often are made by other entities and are not always so reliable.

Above all, remember: the absolute most valuable navigational tool in 2015 is the same as it's always been....the Mark I eyeball :-)

Good luck, and welcome back to sailing.

Bill

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by bermudabob

Hi all! I have finally retired at age 76. Took me that long to get 5 kids through
college. One of the things in my bucket list was to get back into sailing and to single-hand sail along the New England coast aagin. Maybe even a trip down the ICW. I owned two sailboats in the past. The last one I owned was 25 years ago.
At that time, it was pre: GPS, cell phones and chartplotters so my navigation skills were of the paper and pencil variety. Needless to say I am having electronic navigation culture shock.
I recently bought a 29' Watkins sloop. It came equiped with a Garmin 392 GPS and a Raymarine ST4000 Auto. I am reading the manuals and have also taken a couple of navagation courses as refreshers.
That my story and I'm sticking to it.
i am open to any suggestions or advise.
bermudabob

Good on ya!

You've sacrificed so many of your years for those kids and deserve to have some time for yourself. Don't let anyone keep you from doing it.

Remember, since you were sailing pre GPS and pre many new electronics you know much more about navigation than the young whipper snappers out there.

My question is, if you don't go sailing again at age 76 then at what age will you go sailing?

kind regards,

[MarcStAug]

Hands down the most inspirational post I've read on this forum, period. I just turned 60 myself and it looks like 10 more before I am free to go. Good on you. I hope to read of your adventures!