As a late starter am I too old to do serious cruising?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Lakepapa.

[lesterbutch]

First; your not old! Mainly. Because if you are old, I'm ancient, because I'm 75. My wife and I will sail most anywhere but we are also aware of the fact that do-do can happen! So we always plan for being able to contact the Coast Guard if needed. I think Im entitled my son was on loan to them for 22 years as a helicopter pilot. I'm hoping for at least another 10-15 years before I hang up my life jacket.

[cwoflyboy]

I hope you are not too old or crazy. I'm 64 and just bought my first sailboat.
I'm an experienced boater but am new to sailing. I'm planning on going cruising next March. It sounds like you are going about this in an intelligent manner. I don't want to have regrets later in life.
Good luck!

[gamayun]

Yeah, you're too old.

But let me help you out. All that money you're going to save by not buying a boat, you can instead crowd source it to me and I'll post a video of my bluewater sailing exploits so you can live the life vicariously from the safety of your couch.

Or you could just throw all that money away by buying a boat and having the time of your life.

Your call.

Choose wisely.

[Sea Dreaming]

My mom's former boyfriend got his white water rafting guide certification at 69. It's not sailing but it's not for sissies.
My mom still back packs through remote wilderness at 68. She whips my but by a mile!

My great Aunt, who lives in Mendocino, still drives her self, once a week into San Francisco to meet her friends and volunteer at an old folks home". She is 96!

I don't think age is a factor in anything. It's more "how big are you batteries?"

[a64pilot]

I think only you can answer that, because I've seen several that were too old at 50, and a few that aren't too old in their 70's.
I think Genetics has a LOT to do with it, yes of course how you treat your body, but some just won the Jackpot and have the Genetics, some didn't.
Both my Parents died young, and I'm within a couple years of my Brothers age when he died, so I figure I had better not wait too much longer.


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[jreiter190]

I'm 853 months old now and I've never been able to whistle through my teeth. Am I too old to learn?

[MVDarlin]

Volunteer to crew as a novice to see how it works for you. Many forums available to find crew wanted postings.

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[Mithril Bham]

We old geezers love the positive stuff. Never stop moving. Have known people in their nineties still very active (mainly Norwegians X-country skiing and climbing mountains).
Doesn't mean their isn't some pain involved but most of that can be overcome.
Don't give up the ship.

[MVDarlin]

I've noticed it gets more difficult to crawl around the engine room as I get older.


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[Paul J. Nolan]

People age at different rates. I am 68 and in my experience there is a big difference between 64 and 68, not only physically, but emotionally, and in various other ways as well. My advice to you is: if you want to go cruising, go now.. Not in five years, not in a year or two, but right now. You're reading this on a computer; start your search for a boat with the next mouseclick.

If your reason for working longer is financial, get a smaller, simpler boat. A Contessa 26, an IF boat, a Triton or old Bristol are all fine for following the Hiscock highway. Buy a boat that has been rebuilt or is in excellent condition. (You might consider placing an ad in Good Old Boat Magazine). Do any upgrading that is necessary, check the pilot charts and Sailing Directions, AND GO!

Time, not money or anything else, is your most precious commodity.

Paul

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Paul J. Nolan

If your reason for working longer is financial, get a smaller, simpler boat. A Contessa 26, an IF boat, a Triton or old Bristol are all fine for following the Hiscock highway. Buy a boat that has been rebuilt or is in excellent condition. (You might consider placing an ad in Good Old Boat Magazine). Do any upgrading that is necessary, check the pilot charts and Sailing Directions, AND GO!

Time, not money or anything else, is your most precious commodity.

Well said.

Chasing money wastes valuable days, months, and years.

[Banshe]

G'day,

I'm 67. I sailed from Sydney Australia two and a half years ago. I have done the Pacific, Cape of Good Hope, East Coast USA and Canada. then across to the Azores. I have just arrived in St Johns Antigua yesterday. Panama next, then it's back home across the Pacific. All single handed.

If I can do it, well so can you. Go for it.

Go to marinetraffic.com -veseles-all-Banshe

[alansmith]

good on u mate. When I was a young man I used to read all of the books like Sir Francis Chichester and his many exploits. Love to hear the stories of the old guys going out for their 'walkabout'...When you finally pass on you will not have any regrets of things you wished you had done when you could've.

[Jack Lahr]

Age 81 Boat (downsize) Tartan 33 crew 60's and 70's when available. Concessions to age: avoid hurricanes by all means and exercise a lot! Go for it!