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

[jimp1234]

Briefly about me. I started sailing late (about 3 years ago and I'm just turning 64). I don't own a boat but out most weekends on the SF Bay, sailing 3 of 4 days a month either sailing with friends, or chartering boats through my sailing club. I'm working through the U.S. Sailing classes, and plan on finishing the CPM and OPM certs by next year. Health is good except for a few minor "young jock" ailments. And I'm still hitting the gym 4 or 5 days a week though workouts are a lot lighter these days. Financially, I think I could make something work.

So my question is am I crazy for thinking about buying a boat when I retire at 68 or 69 and doing some serious blue water cruising? And by serious I mean something like the World ARC. I get the fact that it may not be so much my age but the fact that I don't have 20 years of sailing experience under my belt. And I also know I might be able to achieve some less ambitious cruising goals as well. Thoughts, comments appreciated.

[Canibul]

Yeah, you're way too old. Give it up, geezer. No chance at your age.


I'll be 65 in a few months. Trust me. LOL

[autumnbreeze27]

We have friends older than you that are full time cruisers, both power and sail. It's never too late to start, you can always make friends with people with more experience and have them as crew.

Try and make friends at your local yacht club, lots of members your age will likely be there and you can pick their brains. Sailing is a lot of physical work, so the older you get, things like electric winches and roller furlings make things easier, but you can just as easily get a younger crew member and say "grind that sheet in"

[svrevelations]

I recently met a 73 year old woman who is sailing around the world - single handed. You still have many years to do some sailing. My advise though is to get in good physical shape.

[hpeer]

I'm retiring in December at 65.

[Cdreamin]

The buying the boat isn't crazy. To me it's waiting till 68 or 69 to retire. CRAZY!

[newhaul]

Dads 90 and still cruising all over the west coast of'america. Never to old until your talking to Davy Jones in the locker.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Dads 90 and still cruising all over the west coast of'america. Never to old until your talking to Davy Jones in the locker.

Your dad is my hero!

Jim (77 y.o.)

[l2ridehd]

Never to late. I am a bit older then you and just finished my ASA courses and am looking at buying a boat. I mean if your able, why not? I can still do more in any day then folks half me age. It's not about how old you are, but how old you feel.

[onestepcsy37]

My friend started cruising when he retired at 70. He and his wife went fort lauderdale to bermuda to azores to lisbon and then spent seven years doing the entire med.

[Paul Annapolis]

I will never forget when I was 21 and going down the ICW on my way to Puerto Rico--my first of what has eventually become many long cruises. We met a couple in their late 60's living aboard a boat and someone asked "How do you do it at your age" and they talked about going slow and easy and not pushing things and then finished up with this remark "Just remember that the boat can always take more than the crew." Good advice. It means a lot of things. Think about that and figure what it means for you and go for it--unless of course you are getting younger in which case you can wait....!!

[chile1]

Originally Posted by Cdreamin

The buying the boat isn't crazy. To me it's waiting till 68 or 69 to retire. CRAZY!

I'm in the same boat as you. I'll be 68 when I retire and buy a sailboat. I'm a pretty robust 66, run 40 k. a week, work out at the gym and I've been doing yoga for 25 years. If you're sedentary try and start a modest exercise routine, it doesn't take much, a 30 minute walk every day will do wonders. Start slow, very slow and build up slowly. Try to preserve mobility, yoga is great for supple joint and it is also a excellent way to have regular and easy bowel movements, also know as taking a crap. Strengthening your legs and shoulders will prevent sprains and improve joint flexibility. If you have any medical problems consult your physician. Remember, it doesn't take much. You should walk away from a training session with a slight sweat on your forehead, mild muscle tiredness and feeling relaxed. Preserve what you have and be physically fit to brave the oceans. Good luck

[rgesner]

Originally Posted by Cdreamin

The buying the boat isn't crazy. To me it's waiting till 68 or 69 to retire. CRAZY!

Well, I bought the boat last month, and turning 65 tomorrow, and retiring in about 3 years, so I guess I'm crazy. My dad's 93 and healthy, so I'm guessing I've got some time left to enjoy.

- Rusty

[Glenn.Brooks]

Yeah, buy it now and play with it before you retire. You'll learn what the boat needs and what you need before retirement, so you can plan for a successful cruise.

When are you to old to sail? I like the old saying- no reason to quit sailing until you get so old you can't remember where you want to go after you leave the dock. Even then it doesn't matter as you can always go somewhere else.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[hpeer]

Very encouraging remarks.