at what age do you give up sailing?

We have a club member who has just past 90 & sails/motors his Konsort Duo & has been to Holland the last few seasons.He still goes out solo although he motors more than sails.I want to live that long.My bad back will determine when I give up sailing but then I might have a small motor boat.
 
The chap next door to me is 91 this year and is unbelieveably active. Since crewing for me a few times, he approached me recently seeking my advice about getting a Westerley GK24! I said 'go for it', but think about a Warwick perhaps.!
 
I am a mere early 60's but still jump off the boat for a swim & climb back aboard, I scorn the winch because it's quicker to weigh anchor manually. I enjoy singlehanding, or taking family crew/ passengers & sail a Laser when I want something a bit more exciting.

You can't avoid growing old, but I refuse to grow up & I will resist getting old until the day I die. But I am considering moving on to a Pilothouse to stop SWMBO & kids moaning about the cold/ wet.
 
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More risk averse as you age? I cant see the reasoning behind that! Surely you should go the OTHER way! .

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Life isnt like that as you'll find out eventually. With age come the ability to wake up at 3.30 am getting all your problems totally out of proportion. You find it easier to see the downsides than the upsides. Less resilience. And thats not just me.
 
I suppose I should have expected a string of replies along the "I'll go sailing on for ever" but surely there must be some posters here, Somerset for example, who have given up. Its perfectly clear that most sailors dont go on till 90 or even 80.
 
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I suppose I should have expected a string of replies along the "I'll go sailing on for ever" but surely there must be some posters here, Somerset for example, who have given up. Its perfectly clear that most sailors dont go on till 90 or even 80.

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To be honest. After medical advice and comments from family and friends, I 'gave up' last August. Sold my boats and gave everything away including my library of 30 years collecting. Didn't want to be reminded of boats again or I would sit around and mope.
Two months ago, I bought another boat and am now trying to get my kit back. To hell with it, you only live once, I am 67 and I can't wait to get back out there! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Friend of mine helped solo elderly (80+) yachtsman moor up in the Azores. The fella apparently didnt really need any help. Friend "Where have you come from? " Solo "from South Georgia". Friend "Did you stop at Ascencion?£ Solo "No it was rough so I carried straight on".
You can keep going if something physical or mental doent stop you.
In my case it's the lazarette locker. When I can no longer get out of this locker it'll be time to stop.
 
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With age come the ability to wake up at 3.30 am getting all your problems totally out of proportion.

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That's not age, that's depression and it can strike anyone at any age. There are effective treatments.
 
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As I am approching sixty Iam considering a small junk rigged boat so reducing foredeck and reefing acrobatics

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Good grief Mogy, that's no age at all. I'm approaching seventy and seriously considering reverting to hank on headsails!
 
Since I only acquired my first boat at age 65, I'm mightily heartened by the approach of the venerable elder posters - and God bless Robin Adams, the Exemouth Osteopath! I guess when the time comes to be measured for the colostomy bag I'll buy the motorhome instead. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I find on Sunday evenings in summer season after an afternoon of hard racing at 62 I ask the same question. Is this the last season? I find now that I like to leave some of the hard work to younger crew. ie spin gybing.
But by about Tuesday i am looking forward to the next bash and if I miss a weekend I wish I was sailing again.

I guess when you can't get onto the boat then that will be the time...

Re drowning as a way to go. i don't think it so terrible. There are of course many people who are revived after becoming unconcious in the water and don't seem to be anxious to tell about how horrible it was. It won't take long and a body can only endure so much pain. Compared to years of cancer pain....

Of course we must consider the concerns of our loved ones. So that might in the end be the clincher to stop sailing .

I had one friend who in his sixties took to sailing alone along the coast to Geraldton.(300NM) He did it a few times but then was found on the bottom his boat holed on a reef. He didn't have much close family so in a way he really conquered death by going his own chosen way. (even though it was an accident)

Bottom line don't worry about how many years of sailing you have in you. If you find you havn't sailed in a long time then obviously it has finished until then just do it and enjoy. olewill
 
I suppose you have a point re: family (is this becoming a morbid thread?).
However most family would rather a member died doing something they loved rather than being mown down by a "joy-rider", stabbed by a vicious hoodie or shot whilst trying to travel on the underground.

There isn't a good way to die as far as loved ones are concerned.
 
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