Older sailors and boat must-have features

[Grancan]

Captain Kirk made to space!!

[hpeer]

And back!

Beat Spock. Emption wins over reason? LOL

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

until the day I see someone throwing dirt over my face.....I'm gonna stay at it...

Lol, if you see that happening , you might want to change your drinking buddies

[barryglewis]

Before taking Risky Business on her first single handed trip (trans Tasman) in 2014 we raised the stations to about 800mm, and fitted a 25mm stainless pipe as the top rail. I was 65 then.

Full length jackstays were already fitted. The main halyard was already marked for each reef position , so reefing, brought the wind forward of the beam ,set up topping lift etc, lowered halyard to the mark, then went forward to the mast to hook in the Cunningham and pull down the reef.
The main is about 500sqft in size.
Still basically doing this, both crewed and single handed , except 2020 we started reefing down wind, more work but easier on the gear.

[Symphony]

Originally Posted by ddugger

I'm a biologist, not a med. doc. I have spent a long time studying aging and - what I call the human genetic default aging process - basically all the common aging symptoms that most of experience at about the same ages. Largely of a result of humans having low reproductive ages and longer and longer lifespans. Consequently - with no genetic feed back loops after reproduction to modify, better and extend our latter years - or when and how we age past our reproductive age. Our genome gets no direct information on how to maintain our bodies after reproduction ages. Our reproductive age is the primary signal for the body to stop maintaining itself. Sexual maturity and sexual activity are key primary genetic signalers. Things gradually and cumulatively go down hill like slomo dominoes falling down thereafter - in case you haven't noticed.

All that said there are some relatively minor but significant things that we can currently do - to at least slow down, delay and limit the damages of the aging processes for as long as possible:
1. Manage your weight and get rid of the excess. Gets harder and harder, but is the single biggest health risk we modern humans have.
2. Stay as active as possible as long as possible. Burn your recliner and put a timer on you TV/computer and try to limit sitting episodes to under 20 minutes per day without a some activity.

3. Get 7-8 hours of sleep a day - including naps if you can't get it all at one time.

4. Stay sexually active as long as you can and maintain normal testosterone and estrogen complex levels - both males and females.
5. Eat a balanced diet with increased fruits and veggies as you age and eat less high iron proteins (red meats). Wild fish oils (high in Omega 3) are better for your health than farmed fish oils (high Omega 6). If you smoke or drink regularly. Don't. One glass of occasional red wine if you must.

6. Take basic vitamin supplements, but higher levels of Vit. C. Research the supplements and the forms you take - note the relative studies of their benefit's clinical evidence. Focus on the nutritional supplements (ones with at least some serious clinical study proven benefits). Things like β-Hydroxy β-methylbutyric acid(HMB) that slow down sarcopenia (age related muscle wasting), increasing master hormones like DHEA. Other functional aids like CoQ10, and Melatonin. And Beta Sitosterol and Saw Palmetto Berry extract, Grass Pollen Extracts (male prostate maintenance). Other supplements to consider are resveratrol (I wore reading glasses up until I started taking Longevinex (resveratrol complex) about a decade ago - now I don't use reading glasses except in low light).

More aggressive approaches to optimizing your the health for your age, could include hGH supplementation - ideally starting in your 40s, but benefits can continue thereafter. HGH has a bad rap as it is often abused by athletes and body builders, however, low level supplementation has been shown to increase bone mass, lowers body fat, increase sex drive, sense of well being and increases immune function.

7. Finally, realize that not unlike pharmaceutical industry - the supplement industry is predatory in their marketing. Your only protection is the quality of the research you do on the products you decide to take. Don't fool yourself that any of these supplements will make you immortal, at best they simply delay the onset of some of the most common symptoms/diseases of aging - allowing you a longer health span while increasing your probability of more active life span. To date no longevity aids have proven to significantly extend our total life spans - just our health spans.

If you aren't taking care of your body as well as you can, there really isn't much need or economy in worrying about your boat adaptations. Happy, healthy, and safe sailing to you all.

thanks for the info on HMB, DHEA and Resveratrol.
I used HMB when I was doing intense weigh training and it is amazing. I felt 20 years younger and my skin healed overnight from minor cuts.

You mentioned researching supplements - I looked for info on Resveratrol and lonxginevex and found a great study of studies. plenty of technical language but there is good info for non-biologists too, including some good graphic schematics of how to use Resveratrol.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6317057/

top-promoted brand is longinevex - https://longevinex.com/

resveratrol is also available in grape seed extract capsules – best with grape seed or in soluble form, in the morning, with a “functional” beverage. the more obese the person the less it works.

2500mg – 5000mg per day max before having side effects.

Clinical value occurred with doses of 250-630 mg daily.

Longinevex contains 100 mg but claims 9x solubility. Solubility is important.

thanks again for a great discussion.

[girdasso]

Hi Symphony. Great advice. The importance of doing the simple things to enhance quality of life. The best information I have seen for reversal of ageing is from Dr David Sinclair a professor at Harvard and specialist in this area. Summary:
Get rid of extra fat. trim down. Eat correct diet and miss the occasional meal.
Exercise - walking is great and short HIT bursts a few times a week is better.
Stop smaking and stick to 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks a day max.
Get 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep per day.
Find a loving, like minded partner and meet with good friends as often as possible
Hot / cold shock treatment is great for lifting your immune system.
I am 92 years old and not planning to slow down.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by girdasso

Hi Symphony. Great advice. The importance of doing the simple things to enhance quality of life. The best information I have seen for reversal of ageing is from Dr David Sinclair a professor at Harvard and specialist in this area. Summary:
Get rid of extra fat. trim down. Eat correct diet and miss the occasional meal.
Exercise - walking is great and short HIT bursts a few times a week is better.
Stop smaking and stick to 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks a day max.
Get 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep per day.
Find a loving, like minded partner and meet with good friends as often as possible
Hot / cold shock treatment is great for lifting your immune system.
I am 92 years old and not planning to slow down.

BRAVO


I'm only almost 76. Time for one of my two alcoholic drinks a day.

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by ddugger

I'm a biologist, not a med. doc. I have spent a long time studying aging and - what I call the human genetic default aging process - basically all the common aging symptoms that most of experience at about the same ages. Largely of a result of humans having low reproductive ages and longer and longer lifespans. Consequently - with no genetic feed back loops after reproduction to modify, better and extend our latter years - or when and how we age past our reproductive age. Our genome gets no direct information on how to maintain our bodies after reproduction ages. Our reproductive age is the primary signal for the body to stop maintaining itself. Sexual maturity and sexual activity are key primary genetic signalers. Things gradually and cumulatively go down hill like slomo dominoes falling down thereafter - in case you haven't noticed.
.

Yes I noticed, but this got me thinking (a rare occasion). It seems that among a significant proportion of the general population, we have already seen a gradually increasing age of childbearing. I believe this will continue for many reasons - economic and lifestyle. This means that the genetic feedback loop mentioned by dlugger will gradually include healthy (since they are childbearing) individuals of older middle-age. This is a process of natural selection, with the genes of those healthy enough to have offspring in their older years being passed on to their descendants. The end result should favor increased healthy lifespans.

[davil]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Both ISO and ABYC require ladders with 3 rungs below the water and that can be deployed from the water.



So... get with the program! Having no compliant ladder is fundamentally un, and not because you are over 60.

========================================

question


need ideas to rig an emergency ladder to be deployed FROM the water.

Currently, have a midship permanently attached folding 3 sections ladder

thanks

[SuW]

Originally Posted by davil

========================================
question
need ideas to rig an emergency ladder to be deployed FROM the water.
Currently, have a midship permanently attached folding 3 sections ladder
thanks

I have a folding stern ladder, where the lower part folds up to the stern rail. It's stable when folded up.
A light line (1/4" or 6.4mm) hangs down within reach of a swimmer and lets them pull down the bottom of the ladder. It's fairly heavy.
I suppose the line could be the tail of a slipped knot, too.

[Mickeyrouse]

I’m in my 76th year. While I don’t feel like I’m there just yet, I know it’s coming and probably think of it every time I’m on the boat.
The most important consideration is safety. I forever make sure I have something to hang on to whenever I go forward- life lines, dodger, bimini, rigging, hand rails- always have something to grab. I feel the danger is greater of hitting the deck than falling overboard.
Next, try to keep things working. It’s never fun crawling into tight places to service or repair something, and particularly so for old dudes while under way.
Use as much mechanical assistance as possible. I just converted to self-tailing primary winches- big asisstance. Same goes for anchor retrieval. I assume you’re using roller furling on the jib. I’m not as keen on the same for the mains’l, though others have had more positive experiences than me.
Many would recommend a bow thruster if your boat size can accommodate it. I have friend whose boats are so equipped. Many report that they are functioning. I remain guarded on the matter.
Will advancing age compel you to switch to a power boat? There are many reasons people go from sail to power, but I don’t think age should be one of them. The biggest challenge of a sailboat is raising the main, after that everything else is mostly handled from the cockpit with some mechanical help, outside of the occasional reef. Eveything else is pretty much the same on a power boat- anchoring, docking, casting off, navigation, etc. It just may be more out of the weather. One of many reasons I DON’T care for power boats.

[davil]

Originally Posted by SuW

I have a folding stern ladder, where the lower part folds up to the stern rail. It's stable when folded up.
A light line (1/4" or 6.4mm) hangs down within reach of a swimmer and lets them pull down the bottom of the ladder. It's fairly heavy.
I suppose the line could be the tail of a slipped knot, too.

===============================

thank you very much.
great idea
perhaps can rig a line to release the folding ladder,my question will be how to keep the release line hanging on the side, perhaps a weight tied to the end to keep the line down.
The line will develop marine growth by been exposed, but may just replace it with a new one as needed, not biggie.

Will go to the boatyard today and check if I may do it.?

thanks a lot.

[davil]

Originally Posted by Mickeyrouse

I’m in my 76th Eveything else is pretty much the same on a power boat- anchoring, docking, casting off, navigation, etc. It just may be more out of the weather. One of many reasons I DON’T care for power boats.

================================
amen to your points.

Just replaced my aging (1987 vintage) dodger and bimini, ADDED full cockpit enclosure with clear panels.

At 81 my bones resent exposure to being soaking wet and cold, amazing how nice it feels, not that I spend a lot of time at the wheel but sometimes conditions require.

Expensive, actually most expensive project I have done, but less expensive than changing boats.

[sailormed]

The most compact compliant emergency ladder. If it is useable? I doubt it.

[SuW]

Originally Posted by davil

===============================
thank you very much.
great idea
perhaps can rig a line to release the folding ladder,my question will be how to keep the release line hanging on the side, perhaps a weight tied to the end to keep the line down.
The line will develop marine growth by been exposed, but may just replace it with a new one as needed, not biggie.
Will go to the boatyard today and check if I may do it.?
thanks a lot.

I've found that you don't need the line to actually drag in the water. A swimmer can reach at least 18"/0.5m above the water line. A double overhand knot at the end is enough to keep it hanging down.
As you say, replace when it's worn out.

Our ladder is heavy (we put on fake teak rungs) so a swimmer needs to be aware that it might hit them. There's a small standoff leg that should be unfolded to make climbing easier. It stabilizes the ladder on the hull.