Sailing and Aging

[rognvald]

We are currently sailing from Chicago to Florida via Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, and Eastern seaboard. This is our second adventure . . . the first was for 10 years in our early Forties. We are now Boomers who focus on the positive. Life is a gamble and we will play until it is no longer possible. Carpe Diem. Good luck and safe sailing . . . Rognvald

[Mr B]

Im only 70, I may have to get an electric winch for the new anchor as its 75 Lb,
But its only the last bit getting it over the roller, But a rope to the mast winder might do the trick,
I can put a rope on the anchor with a float, That will solve that problem,
I still ride one of the fastest production motor cycles in the world to keep fit and alert,
Even better, I can go snow skiing for free now, Im 70,
Will be doing a circumnavigation of oz once my boat is back in the water this year,

Age is in the mind, If you think your old, Your old,

Cheers, Brian,

[Hasbeen]

Great stuff Brian, the anchor was my thought on limitations. If you could not haul the anchor by hand, you could end up in serious trouble in many places.


In 8 years & 53,000 miles I had 2 anchor winches fail. The size of the boat & the fitness to sail it is in my opinion decided by the ability to handle the anchor by hand, when not if the failure occurs. Well it is if you don't like carrying muscle bound morons as crew.

[Vagabond1]

[FONT=Arial]After 40 + years and 75000 nm of sailing over many of the waters on the globe, we changed our last sailing yacht into a very comfortable 50 ft Dutch built displacement motor cruiser. Now in our 5th season with this boat and having passed the 3 quarter age of a century, we are cruising 7 months per year all over Northern Europe. It's great fun, many beautiful and historic places to see and best imaginable quality of life. Exercising a lot, staying fit and healthy …. touch wood!. Our routine annual doctors appointments are scheduled between December and March. What would be a better alternative? NONE!! Happy to share experience with anybody.]

[Robert E]

At 75 and 72 we share your desire to continue to sail while facing up to our getting older. From 1984-1996 we sailed 18,000 miles of the Pacific coast from Portland south to Mexico and north to Port Hardy and the waters in between. Our boats were a 41' Columbia sloop and a Norseman 447 cutter. Both required effort in handling genakers and large genoas. Tacking among the northern waters was tedious. Now 22 years later, we are not done sailing, but we are not as strong or agile as we once were. Our solution was to find less demanding boat that would sail well with less effort. Last year we bought a hard to find Nonsuch 33 and had it trucked it to Portland. This is a coastal cruiser that sails exceptionally well with just a large main. This month we finished a complete refit. Next month we will take her north to the west coast of Vancouver Island, an area we not fully explored. We compensated for our age by equipping her with the latest electronics, safety, communications gear and an inflatable on davits. All controls are in the cockpit, including reefing, electric windlass and winch. An enclosed cockpit brings comfort. Tacking is turning the wheel. For emergency medical transport we signed on to DAN. However, even in the most out of the way areas in BC or Alaska we are within range of help. If you are planning long distance cruising your needs will be more challenging. There are folks in this forum who can help. Best of luck. Bob and Jan McCarthy, SV Shamrock.

[NormanMartin]

This is a terrific thread. I am happy someone thought to start it.

My wife and I are 68. Agility is our "issue." I was a charter skipper in the Eastern Caribbean this recent winter. The warmth is a big help with my agility. (Sadly, my wife had to stay in New England and work.) So are electric windlasses and winches!

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by thomm225

There are many more ways to exercise ashore also and possibly more stimulation for the brain depending on one's situation.

I know that I go sailing/cruising to relax and for the Sun high, but also for the work and hardships. I singlehand and the boat has no special setup for that except for maybe the autopilot and roller furling jib.

As a Coastal Weekend/Vacation Cruiser it's always about raising and lowering sails, anchoring, docking, dodging ships, and sometimes trying to sleep at a bad anchorage while depending on the anchor near a lee shore

There's also kayaking, hiking, and nature

When I get back, I'm usually totally drained but quite happy!

I think variety is nice........

Yes, that is very close to how I see it.


But I've got to admit, other than a few suggestions of power winches and windlasses, not a lot of imagination. "Stay fit" is always good advice, and popular as well, but basic intelligence tells us that we are not all we were at 30. We also do not all age in the same way. In my case, not all parts of my body have aged together. I bike regularly and climb as often as I can, but I've had multiple knee surgeries, some related back problems, and arthritis in my hands, so I have to adapt. On the other hand, my balance is excellent, so I don't need the smooth motion of a large boat.



* Steps were needed.
* Big knee braces.
* Best gloves.
* Smooth running tackles.

* Windlass for certain.
* Smaller boat. Everything is lighter.

[MAE]

Jim you & Ann are legends on this forum ....good health to you

[thomm225]

It's a pain having to ..... take it easy.

Sometimes I complain to my son and he advises me to do a little less especially on my workouts and runs because they drain me for a few days. I still like to attempt 3 mile runs once a week plus push ups and pull ups (and stretching)

I've been a senior citizen for seven years plus according to the local grocery store. (discounts)

I day sailed both days this past weekend for a few hours and did my run/workout last Wednesday.

My legs and hips are still feeling it, but getting out in the Sun sure makes you feel good

No changes to the boat so far except I will many times leave the anchor, chain, and rode (secured) on the foredeck until I return from a weekend/vacation "cruise"

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by thomm225

There are many more ways to exercise ashore also and possibly more stimulation for the brain depending on one's situation.

I know that I go sailing/cruising to relax and for the Sun high, but also for the work and hardships. I singlehand and the boat has no special setup for that except for maybe the autopilot and roller furling jib.

As a Coastal Weekend/Vacation Cruiser it's always about raising and lowering sails, anchoring, docking, dodging ships, and sometimes trying to sleep at a bad anchorage while depending on the anchor near a lee shore

There's also kayaking, hiking, and nature

When I get back, I'm usually totally drained but quite happy!

I think variety is nice........

Agreed. Never could get into the idea of Fitness Clubs. Outdoor sports are what keep me going. A kayak on deck sure makes it easy to take a spin around the harbour. Having a dog adds several miles of hiking to my daily activities. Boat yoga and keeping my feet under me must do something for my balance and agility. Skiing keeps the old heart pumping. Wading rivers while flyfishing leaves me exhausted. All while being surrounded by awe-inspiring nature... I just hope I can die Out There and not in Adult Foster Care.

[bpfox]

I’ve reached the age, unfortunately, where arthritis has begun in my right hand. Does anyone have any insight into how to tie up when docking? My husband isn’t enthusiastic about me learning to man the wheel while pulling into the slip. 🙂 That leaves me in charge of the lines and the stress on my hand and wrist is getting pretty painful. Any help from others suffering from arthritis would be much appreciated

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by bpfox

I’ve reached the age, unfortunately, where arthritis has begun in my right hand. Does anyone have any insight into how to tie up when docking? My husband isn’t enthusiastic about me learning to man the wheel while pulling into the slip. 🙂 That leaves me in charge of the lines and the stress on my hand and wrist is getting pretty painful. Any help from others suffering from arthritis would be much appreciated

are you using anti inflammatories for your arthritis? do you have tendonitis? carpal tunnel syndrome? rheumatoid arthritis??
since age 7 i have sailed but never used my thumbs to haul sheets and halyards. i developed dequervains tendon synovitis both thumbs aggravated by career choice. nursing is bad on ones body. i also have developed carpal tunnel syndrome both wrists.
i have yet to use thumbs to tie knots or dock my formosa. can you develop a less painful and less wrist involved method of line management. i have no issue handling lines, but strength is unreliable and i drop many items into drink.oops. some important things swim without my permission.
working your hands with a soft ball for grip can be useful and helpful, but you must rest those hands as well as work em. try use of hands without thumbs for line handling. modify your techniques to suit your specific disability.
each varietal of hand dysfunction requires a different treatment method.
it is a good idea to find an occupational therapist or physical therapist for consult and assist with this issue.
best of luck with this. it is not easy. i know.

[NormanMartin]

Ouch. I am sympathetic as these things affect me, too. On top of it all, I lost an eye and now depth perception is gone. Being old has its benefits but infirmity is not one of them.

Maybe too late but years ago my wife and I did a lot of cross training just to minimize the affects of ageing. It has paid off. Is it too late to try swapping jobs?

Norm on Averisera

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by bpfox

I’ve reached the age, unfortunately, where arthritis has begun in my right hand. Does anyone have any insight into how to tie up when docking? My husband isn’t enthusiastic about me learning to man the wheel while pulling into the slip. 🙂 That leaves me in charge of the lines and the stress on my hand and wrist is getting pretty painful. Any help from others suffering from arthritis would be much appreciated

I wear a copper bracelet and rub coconut oil on my hands and feet. I take Magnesium tablets to relax the muscles.

Regarding your husband not wanting you at the helm when docking, I think you should be very practised at that anyway in case he is incapacitated by injury or sickness some time. In my experience, many women have been better at the helm than their spouse anyway...

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by bpfox

I’ve reached the age, unfortunately, where arthritis has begun in my right hand. Does anyone have any insight into how to tie up when docking? My husband isn’t enthusiastic about me learning to man the wheel while pulling into the slip. [emoji846] That leaves me in charge of the lines and the stress on my hand and wrist is getting pretty painful. Any help from others suffering from arthritis would be much appreciated

See, I wish my Wife would take up the helm duties and let me tie up.
I’m stronger than she is and it doesn’t makes sense for the stronger one to man the helm, where the strength isn’t needed.
Mostly I’m afraid of her getting hurt in truth.