at what age do you give up sailing?

wotayottie

wotayottie

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Not really a question that entered my head until I reached 60. Now at 64 (and with a new boat) I'm wondering how much longer I'll sail.

I suppose different people age at different rates - I've already had one pal do as my wife describes and "put himself to bed". Sold his boat, sold all hhis gear, left the club, does nothing much but sit in front of the box - at 66. Another pal at 70 odd is still goping but very visibly struggling to do the maintenance, clamber about the boat etc. And of course, we all become more risk averse and bigger worriers as we age.

How long do you think you'll last? I reckon 70.
 
Some years ago, the following scenario was described to me...
My friend had noticed a very elderly couple arrive at Chichester marina looking rather decrepit, hunched over and a little slow, as they loaded their gear onto the boat and readied themselves for a sail. The next time he noticed them, they were exiting the lock out of the marina, and he had to double check it was the same couple. They were positively dancing around the boat like a couple 20 years younger. Clearly the sailing gave them the enthusiasm and enjoyment to stay younger.

Working as an osteopath, I often recall the story to my sailing clients and advise them to keep their boats as long as they physically are able.

I suggest you pass this on to your wife and suggest that she joins you...!!
 
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How long do you think you'll last? I reckon 70.

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Good grief, what an attitude - only 70! I bought my present boat at 70 and had to work damned hard to renovate and get her into shape for three years while still sailing her extensively. Last year I made a single-handed cruise down through the Dalmatian islands from northern Italy and plan to reach Corfu this year, again alone.

If one is relatively fit and healthy it is all a state of mind - I refuse to think of myself as old and expect another ten years of sailing ahead of me. Of course, everyone is mentally and physically different; it's the luck of the draw and all in the genes. As someone once said when asked how to live a long and healthy life, "choose your parents well".
 
As I am approching sixty Iam considering a small junk rigged boat so reducing foredeck and reefing acrobatics in the future.there is still the problem with the anchour hauling as I have weak back but I remember my father gave up sailing and seemed to go down hill ......
 
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with the anchour hauling as I have weak back

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What about an electric windlass with manual back up - Ok may be overkill for size of boat bt if it means you get a few more years of doing what you enjoy then why not!

Each year we take the Scouts to an Old People's home to sing Christmas Carols and I remind myself I will be jumping off the boat mid channel without lifejacket before I get stuck in "God's Waiting Room". If I find a more humane method in the meantime I will consider alternatives.
 
I have a similar outlook. However drowning doesn't seem a particularly pleasant way to die. Ever tried holding your breath until you really can't hold it any more?
Of course no-one who has drowned has come back to describe the experience.

Or have they?
 
Our landlord is 78. He gave up sailing his GP14 about six years ago as his knees were becoming a bit too creaky for flitting about and bought an old Prelude (19ft) yacht. Last year he bought a new roller headsail for it and I've just antifouled it and redone the brightwork for this year. He has it on a swinging mooring and insists on paddling his rubber duck out to the boat.
He still looks after 300 ewes and shoots (but has decided that septuagenarians are allowed to move between drives in a jeep). He uses a quad-bike to overcome his sticky-knees problem, but refuses to have an operation because the surgeon has told him he won't be able to go skiing any more.

Keep going 'till you can't go any more.
 
I know many yachtsmen and women in their 80s, including my uncle, who cruises the Med for most of the year. I knew three 84 and 85 year olds who cruised in company, all singlehanded, throughout the Irish Sea. When we lived in Scotland we often raced against a lady in her late 70s in a 505. I never saw her sailing in long trousers, always shorts. East coast of Scotland is no place to dress like this, even in summer months. She was often about in April.
 
We have a friend at the local yacht club who turned 80 a year or two ago. Still lives on his boat, keeps active and probably mentally fitter than most half his age /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I do think its all about keeping the mind and body active. Who knows where the limit is? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Well I'm in my 60s, still windsurfing, canoeing, skiing as well as sailing for 6 months a year - and I plan to go on until I drop.
 
I'm 66 yrs.,have a 31 ft M/Sailor and sail it quite often solo and it's not so much the sailing it's arriving that gives me most work with VHF, warps fenders,etc.
Last year I did a 17 hr. trip back from Le Havre solo and missed my pontoon by a couple of metres and I won't care if I can do the same in 20 or more years time.
 
I know a guy who's well into his 80's - could be 90's. He still has 3 wooden boats, all in beautiful condition. I don't think he antifouls the Cheoy Lee, but he does everything on the old gaffer and his dinghy - which he still carries from the foreshore to it's rack unaided.

I like to think that when I feel I can't cope with the boat and it's time to give up sailing, that's the time to set off on a trip to the Caribbean. If I make it, the sun'll help my old bones, and if I don't, the problem's solved.
 
I think the only answer to your question is "How long is a piece of string?". Because each and every one of us is different in terms of health and most of us will know when we have to give up for whatever health problem(if any), mental or physical, rears its head. I think it's daft to think too much on the age thing and simply ENJOY and savour each sailing year as you get older. You can usually make appropriate adjustments for the ageing process e.g electric winches, buying smaller, easier handled boat, changing your sailing horizons, etc. Personally I'm hoping to keep going until the enjoyment ceases, for whatever reason.
 
Dad just reached 80, sails, ski's and rebuilds house interiors. Bloody looney I reckon but who says you have to give up. More risk averse as you age? I cant see the reasoning behind that! Surely you should go the OTHER way! You have done your bit now its time to really start having fun.
 
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