Boating and age

[Seastoke]

So what age do you know of people still boating ie leaving marina and say anchoring , we are trying to budget the future. Yes I know .

 

[DavidJ]

Being in my 70’s I observe a wide range of abilities of people my age so it’s more about your and your partners agility and fitness.

 

[ashtead]

I guess it depends on your crew -I have heard of a Feadship owner well into his retirement years who cruised quite happily with a small crew.

 

[The Q]

The youngest I've raced against was age 8, the oldest over 100. it purely depends on that persons fitness. I know I have problems at 64 as many old injuries resurface, which means for racing I've now switched to a mini Keelboat, no leaping around, I sit in an arm chair.

For my motor boat there is an electric anchor winch I've yet to fit, the biggest problem I can foresee is getting in and out of the fairly high sides of my boat..

 

[Momac]

I think many people do lose their confidence with age and this should be nothing to be ashamed of . So if your partner/crew loses confidence that may be a consideration.

 

[Boathook]

Where I berth there is a 85 year old who goes out single handed and anchors, etc. Admittedly the boat has electric windlass and furling sails with electric winches for use if required.
The main thing is to adjust your sailing to suit your 'fitness' and accept that assistance such as electric windlass, etc can extend the time messing about on boats.

 

[DavidJ]

I think pride is a problem as you get older.
There are middle age fit people in my marina who ask for marina help every time they come back in. They do it with no embarrassment, in fact with an air of superiority.
It’s something I need to learn.

 

[IDAMAY]

Well, I am 79 next month and still manage to cruise extensively in our Trader54. I am lucky to have SWMBO only in her 68th year! We always cruise two handed. It does get a bit more difficult each year as the vagaries of time affect the body but the enjoyment is still sufficient to keep us wanting to go to sea. Looking forward to our west coast cruise starting next week all being well.

 

[BruceK]

Well, I am 79 next month and still manage to cruise extensively in our Trader54. I am lucky to have SWMBO only in her 68th year! We always cruise two handed. It does get a bit more difficult each year as the vagaries of time affect the body but the enjoyment is still sufficient to keep us wanting to go to sea. Looking forward to our west coast cruise starting next week all being well.

I'm showing this to my wife!

 

[BruceK]

So what age do you know of people still boating ie leaving marina and say anchoring , we are trying to budget the future. Yes I know .

Seriously! Both of you are super fit and healthy. Keep doing what you are doing why wouldnt you expect another 20 years ? From what I can see you get busier in retirement so it's not like you're going to become a fat couch potato and get diabetes. In fact I quite look forward to my retirement when just maybe I can escape my desk, shed this gut , and wave my willy again. Helikopta! Helikopta!

 

[dunedin]

Many people continue to sail well into their eighties or more. The sensible ones often downsize to smaller boats (less height to step up onto, less weight on ropes etc) and select gear to make things easier to manage (furling mainsails, bow thrusters, anchor windlass etc).

Then after too old for that some then retire and move over to motor yachts as easier to handle

 

[Farmer Piles]

I'm only 61 but fit and active and I like to think that I have many years of boating yet.
We were looking to buy a boat one autumn about 3 -4 years ago and I inquired about a Nimbus 280 in the Portsmouth area. The agent told me that the owner was elderly and had taken it out solo in the summer but had decided that it was all getting a bit too much for him. He was 103!!

 

[The Q]

I did the 3 Rivers Race (50 miles under 3 bridges which means lowering the mast) about 10 years ago , our combined age in our crew of 3 was 216...

 

[Farmer Piles]

So was that two at 100 and a 16 year old?

 

[doug748]

"When sorrows come, they come not single spies
But in battalions. "

A lot of people are fit enough to make it to 80 but it's difficult to have fun if you have hip, knee, back, shoulder or any other chronic pain. I think that sees a lot of people off, when they are still basically able to sail - but not to enjoy it to the full.

 

[ashtead]

Well, I am 79 next month and still manage to cruise extensively in our Trader54. I am lucky to have SWMBO only in her 68th year! We always cruise two handed. It does get a bit more difficult each year as the vagaries of time affect the body but the enjoyment is still sufficient to keep us wanting to go to sea. Looking forward to our west coast cruise starting next week all being well.

With all that space plenty of room for a couple of dockworkers to crew for you into your 90s I guess.