Bad back

[Wansworth]

Gardening has exposed a weakness in my lower back not looking good for yachting hopefully I can recover by more gardening.Problem would be recovering the an hour or excessive hauling on main halliard.Choice of boat is for a light displacement with outboard motor so limited crawling about in the bilges!

 

[LittleSister]

You hurt your back gardening, and you think the answer is to do more gardening?

You need some relaxation, combined with with plenty of moving your body about in varied ways but only under light loads by, for instance and just plucking an example out of the air, wafting about in a small boat. A light displacement boat won't need a big anchor (and you could buy an aluminium one and have mainly rope warp). And if push (or is it pull?) comes to shove, you could fit a small electric windlass.

Take this as gardening inspiration (you could win a prize!):
Tasmanian garden wins prize for world’s ugliest lawn

p.s. Hope your back is better soon. (I hear vinho tinto can help. )

 

[Wansworth]

You hurt your back gardening, and you think the answer is to do more gardening?

You need some relaxation, combined with with plenty of moving your body about in varied ways but only under light loads by, for instance and just plucking an example out of the air, wafting about in a small boat. A light displacement boat won't need a big anchor (and you could buy an aluminium one and have mainly rope warp). And if push (or is it pull?) comes to shove, you could fit a small electric windlass.

Take this as gardening inspiration (you could win a prize!):
Tasmanian garden wins prize for world’s ugliest lawn

p.s. Hope your back is better soon. (I hear vinho tinto can help. )

Funny you mention that,feel more relaxed after lunch and half bottle of red,unfortunately without paid staff the garden will engulf us,three trees to cut down with attendant chopping and log splitting even so still hopeful about yachting possibilities,all is not lost

 

[johnalison]

You hurt your back gardening, and you think the answer is to do more gardening?

You need some relaxation, combined with with plenty of moving your body about in varied ways but only under light loads by, for instance and just plucking an example out of the air, wafting about in a small boat. A light displacement boat won't need a big anchor (and you could buy an aluminium one and have mainly rope warp). And if push (or is it pull?) comes to shove, you could fit a small electric windlass.

Take this as gardening inspiration (you could win a prize!):
Tasmanian garden wins prize for world’s ugliest lawn

p.s. Hope your back is better soon. (I hear vinho tinto can help. )

He may well be right. We have moved on from “go to bed for a week” to “carry on as normal”. I have been in hospital twice with my back and can normally manage. I avoid bending as much as possible but the hardest job on my boat is raising the main, fully-battened on a 34-footer. I can get it almost right up by bracing myself before tensioning it with a winch. The answer with a back, in most cases, is to persevere but stop if anything seems to be upsetting you.

 

[LittleSister]

I can get it almost right up by bracing myself before tensioning it with a winch.

Be that as it may be ,

but getting back to sailing matters, it's a shame Santa didn't bring you an electric winch (or ketch, perhaps?) for that task.

 

[Laser310]

everyone will tell you their own cure for lower back pain

here's mine, and it worked fantastically well.

walking/hiking

I am a cyclist - i was riding 80-100 miles a week

I am pretty sure being in that road bike position contributed to my lower back pain.

I was waking up with lower back pain that frequently continued throughout the day.

I was an avid hiker when i was young, and took it up again. I am now hiking about 3 days per week for a total of almost 30 miles. i maybe cycle two days per week now (I'm retired so i have plenty of time)

my lower back pain is nearly 100% gone.

i think you don't need to do the distances i do to see a benefit.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Laser is quite right. Within reason healing is promoted by movement, the idea that rest was essential may be relatively modern, but not necessariliy true. Swimming would be good for instance.

As for halliard work, there are winches to reduce the strain and its not much on any modern boat under 32ft anyway. We could get my main up in about 5 minutes so I am not sure what size boat or sail takes an hour. As others have said if its a real issue avoid using a mailsail- get a ketch or just sail your sloop on genny alone

Anchors could be an issue but the humble electric winch can assist even if hardly stronger or faster than the owner

 

[LittleSister]

Tell Mrs. W. the forum advises you need a boat to keep you moving without putting too much strain on your back!

That moving about on the boat does need to be interspersed with periods lying on the cockpit seats (or a berth below if the sun's too strong), and occasional libations of vinho tinto, for best effect.

 

[Daydream believer]

I cannot pull my main (on my 31 ft boat) up more than 60%. Then I winch the rest. The thing is that i do not have one of those silly spray hoods. I have been on boats with them & there is no way that one can get one's weight over the winch & apply one's effort sensibly to the handle.
My friends have a 40 ft Jeneau & I struggle to get below due to the spray hood.
Another has a 45 ft Hanse & that is easier because the winches are electric. The crew can stand outside the sprayhood. But that means being a couple of feet away from the winch barrel
It may well be worth getting rid of any sprayhood to help reduce back strain if one cannot stand up unrestricted under it.

 

[Wansworth]

Tell Mrs. W. the forum advises you need a boat to keep you moving without putting too much strain on your back!

That moving about on the boat does need to be interspersed with periods lying on the cockpit seats (or a berth below if the sun's too strong), and occasional libations of vinho tinto, for best effect.

Tell Mrs. W. the forum advises you need a boat to keep you moving without putting too much strain on your back!

That moving about on the boat does need to be interspersed with periods lying on the cockpit seats (or a berth below if the sun's too strong), and occasional libations of vinho tinto, for best effect.

Freezing cold weather has dampened ardur,boat still for sale maybe with warmer weather she will be more amenable certainly the routine you have perscribed would be satisfactory

 

[diverd]

My lower back and lower neck are a constant problem and i take meds daily to be able to function. I have dropped or massively eased back my more physical hobbies, time in the mountains , fishing or scuba and boating is my thing now. Having had boats for 40 years but at times other things have been the priority. For the last 5 years, since retirement my 2 boats, a yacht and a powerboat (used for fishing and touring) have been my main thing and i just need to plan what my back is going to do. I cannot thrash about in rough conditions in the powerboat, the bouncing is about as bad as it gets for my back. So its a flat calm not flat out toy i will probably sell in summer. The yacht is far better on my back, with the exception of any work in the bilges or engine. I dont find halyards or sheets an issue, they are led back to the cockpit and i winch them more or less standing or sitting, so they cause me no real discomfort
I fined planning my meds helps, time taking them where possible when i am doing something daft. I wear a webbing back brace most days on the boat, it helps to protect my back and also keeps it warm, which also helps.
I still dive, but only super light marina type stuff or shallow dives chasing lobsters. I put my gear on in the water, and take it off in the water. I lower the dingy from its davitts, and have lines i clip my kit onto, i call it the spider as it has a few lines with caribiners. I get into and out of the dingy, and then with the scuba kit off climb the ladder back on board, all very slow and relaxed.
Basically a bad back effects every aspect of life, and you need to plan everything physical. Whether that be meds, using tools or tec to help or being sensible and asking for help. I feel my balance is about right now, and as i have time if i need to stop i just do

 

[LittleSister]

Freezing cold weather has dampened ardur,boat still for sale maybe with warmer weather she will be more amenable certainly the routine you have perscribed would be satisfactory

Of course with warmer weather come more buying competition. You may have to strike while the iron's, er, cold!

 

[LittleSister]

There seems a whole generation with over-sized boats and overwhelmed backs.

Could I make my first million converting those boats to two or three-masters, or perhaps offering some psychotherapy that takes them back to when they thought a Westerly Cirrus or Centaur the ultimate family cruiser?

 

[Wansworth]

Of course with warmer weather come more buying competition. You may have to strike while the irons, er, cold!

I have a dilemma,as usual,where I have to confront my self…..a boat ready to go or a boat needing tinkering at a reduced cost,of course the back problem needs to be factored in now as wriggling about in a small boat could well be impossible…..

 

[Wansworth]

There seems a whole generation with over-sized boats and overwhelmed backs.

Could I make my first million converting those boats to two or three-masters, or perhaps offering some psychotherapy that takes them back to when they thought a Westerly Cirrus or Centaur the ultimate family cruiser?

I am a convinced small boat sailer but certain luxuries are required to keep Mrs W on side although promises of showers in the yacht club are seemingly effective

 

[deeb]

Walking, definitely. The more it hurts the more you need to go walking. And keep on. Walking across uneven ground (if you can stand it) even better. Just keep on walking till you're able to get back out to sea

 

[Wansworth]

Of course with warmer weather come more buying competition. You may have to strike while the irons, er, cold!

Don’t think Spanish think about yachting till August

 

[johnalison]

I cannot pull my main (on my 31 ft boat) up more than 60%. Then I winch the rest. The thing is that i do not have one of those silly spray hoods. I have been on boats with them & there is no way that one can get one's weight over the winch & apply one's effort sensibly to the handle.
My friends have a 40 ft Jeneau & I struggle to get below due to the spray hood.
Another has a 45 ft Hanse & that is easier because the winches are electric. The crew can stand outside the sprayhood. But that means being a couple of feet away from the winch barrel
It may well be worth getting rid of any sprayhood to help reduce back strain if one cannot stand up unrestricted under it.

It is a matter of pride for me to get my main up, even as a ten-stone weakling. The current Hydranet sail is heavier than the previous ones but the batten cars are good, and lubrication helps. Changing boats or fitting an electric winch are not really options, so I intend to soldier on. Winches is usually my crew's work but I can lean over my halyard winch without strain, at any rate for the few turns needed. the only time I use these winches for extended winding is when hoisting the jib once a year, when lowering the sprayhood helps, as well as making it easier to see. Other than on a larger boat, I would be upset if I had to winch the main up, and would do my best to make it easier. I am perhaps lucky in the I can stand at the rear of the cockpit, put one foot on the mainsheet track that runs just above the sole, and raise the main while watching it pass the lazyjacks, all the time steering with the tiller between my legs. It is not really stressful though sometimes hard on the hands at the beginning of the season.

This is the first boat I have had with a sprayhood (and windscreen) and although I enjoyed the open style I have got soft with age. I don't find myself stooping much, but that may be because of my boat's layout that doesn't include a bridge deck.

 

[GunfleetSand]

everyone will tell you their own cure for lower back pain

here's mine, and it worked fantastically well.

walking/hiking

I am a cyclist - i was riding 80-100 miles a week

I am pretty sure being in that road bike position contributed to my lower back pain.

I was waking up with lower back pain that frequently continued throughout the day.

I was an avid hiker when i was young, and took it up again. I am now hiking about 3 days per week for a total of almost 30 miles. i maybe cycle two days per week now (I'm retired so i have plenty of time)

my lower back pain is nearly 100% gone.

i think you don't need to do the distances i do to see a benefit.

Osteo told me walking unencumbered if possible was good for a back to reset itself. Ideally after they’d done a bit of clickity clack. I walked about muttering about snake oil and charlatan but after two weeks magically resolved.

Doing some basic stretches not a bad idea, like over tensioned rigging tight bits make other bits too loose

 

[Greenheart]

I am a cyclist - i was riding 80-100 miles a week. I am pretty sure being in that road bike position contributed to my lower back pain.

That's disturbing. I was thinking of buying my first road bike for 30 years, this weekend. Is back trouble commonly associated with the road-riding position? I don't doubt what you say, just wondering if I should think twice now.

Bit of a drift: I decided last summer to train myself to do "pull-up" exercises, having always been underpowered in the upper body. I bought one of those economical bars that screws outward and jams securely between door-posts at home, with no damage to the woodwork...

...but it was the worst decision I ever made. If I wanted to believe I was meant to do pull-ups and chin-ups, I should have taken instruction at a gym. As it was, I persevered painfully for a fortnight (never managed more than two pull-ups) and now I have an extremely painful "frozen shoulder" that may be a year or more in the mending. It leads me to believe that after middle age, the exercise you already know you can do, is the one to keep doing, rather than boldly branching out and risking debilitating injury from unaccustomed exertions.

But I really hoped a road bike, rather than the less efficient mountain-bike style I'm used to, was a safe development.

Freezing cold weather has dampened ardour

Regarding boats, for many reasons I only intend to take it easy now. It makes economic sense (because I henceforth refuse to pay to be uncomfortable) and will be better use of limited leisure time.

I'd rather motor briskly (and quietly and effortlessly) to a windward destination and really enjoy the longer time spent there, and luxuriate on the straight-line return trip downwind. It's significant that as soon as you entirely stop worrying about windward efficiency, many yachts designed mostly for comfort and space can be added to your list.

I'd actually extract value out of a sailing boat that I treated like a displacement motor-cruiser when the weather's miserable (or whenever I just couldn't be bothered to play with ropes). We're having fine bright days in the UK right now, but holy cow, it is freezing. But this weather and all the rotten wet and chilly days that plague our warmer seasons, wouldn't stop me going out if I could say "sod this, drop the sails" and steer the boat from inside, heater on.

Considering how costly performance-orientated yachts are and how rarely they're truly a pleasure at 50 degrees north, I reckon it works out almost cheap to take it easy and sit through crappy weather behind a windscreen.

Little Sister, am I wrong?
.