Do you need to get physically fit for sailing

My XOD skipper has a full on gym in his garden. My attendance is expected. In the season, winding Chiara’s mainsail up is a decent work out. You’d think the XOD was a distinctly staid version of picture 2, but you end up hiking like a laser, and gybing the kite if theres a breeze is pretty physical. Plus you’re standing on the front bench while the boat rocks from rail under to rail under.
 
Daydream believer said:
I am always surprised at the number of elderly couples where one or the other has dodgy knees.
Click to expand...
I could count the number of replacement hips and knees I have sailed with on a single centipede's assembly. One local club mate had multiple knee swaps and we accompanied him hobbling around for many cruises, though he did have an Island Packet 46 until he had to stop for other reasons. One memorable fellow sailor was a chap called Derek or maybe Derrick that we met in Germany. He had been a bomber pilot in the war, including the attack on Peenemunde. In spite of his knees, he sailed that way each year from Christchurch where I think he was the club bosun. On one occasion he managed to climb the steps to the top of Heligoland, though we took the lift down. I imagine he was mid-upper 70s then.
 
jwilson said:
The Laser is easy, try a bl***dy Finn.
Click to expand...

No thanks, I've got dodgy knees (volleyball ), Back ( baseball and sailing) left elbow ( sailing) , right ankle and neck ( car accident)
Used to sail in a Yeoman with a lady who had her hips replaced, she was out racing 6 weeks after the operation...
 
The Q said:
That particular boat is an international 2.4mR to the Norlin MK3 design as used in the Paralympics as a one design.

However. The international 2.4mR is a design rule, not a one design class.
There are many 2.4mR designs around, including strip wood and even a hard chine design for home building.
There are those who home build their own designs optimised to their own size / shape and sailing waters.

There are also one design classes, such as the illusion, the Deception , the Millimetre

My own boat is not to the 2.4mR rule, but loosely styled like Norfolk broads designs. 16ft by 4 ft.
View attachment 190994
Note the rear hatch had come off along with my hat, the hat now has a string, and the hatch has its corners rounded.
Oh my fitness...
We have a 6 month old Border Collie, walks are getting longer...
Click to expand...
Thanks for this image. The other photo suffers from significant foreshortening based on the telephoto lens which is what prompted my somewhat tongue in cheek comment. This shot shows they actually are bigger/roomier than the other image siggests. I've never heard of the class before but they look like a lot of fun to sail.
 
I would say you don't need to be very fit, but you do need some strength and agility to sail in realistic conditions. Not when your sailing goes right, but when you need to grapple with a reluctant anchor, or get a rope quickly onto a cleat, or reef your main in a bumpy sea.
 
Snowgoose-1 said:
I'm thinking mainly layabouts like me that are retired and getting on a bit.

Could a fitness regime cheat the years?

I had little to do on the boat this winter and now feeling it. I do lots of walking and climb stairs where possible but little physical stuff. I dislike gyms.

Anyone done a fitness programme and found it really helps their sailing ? I am a cruiser sailor
Click to expand...

A fitness regime could cheat the years, hence worth doing for sailing and general life stuff. I don't go to the gym but walk fast for an hour and calisthenics (traditional type exercises using body weight). No doubt that it helps.
 
I would say yes it helps. I have at least twice twinged a lower back muscle putting a small rubber dinghy in/out of a deck locker. I pull up the anchor by hand as well, so need to be fit enough to do that.

Interesting about knees mentioned above. I wonder if it is because sailors live longer so they tend to be commonly seen living with aliments such as worn out joints.
 
Ok…..I’m not a yottie (although my boat does have a mast, winches and some rigging)…about a year ago I had to overhaul the bow thruster motor (all the local tradespeople repeatedly let me down)
Anyhow…it involved getting in a really confined space…and I just couldn’t fully bend my knees (or even close to it)…and trying to work under the bed in the bow was excruciatingly painful and I was actually yelling out loud (much to the concern of my neighbor).
After that I embarked on a squatting routine…ten reps no weight….daily…and every couple of weeks I would go another centimetre lower…now I have reduced this to every other day but I squat unaided all the way almost to the floor.
Now I can sit cross legged in any awkward place without discomfort
 
As a dinghy sailor I probably have to be a little fitter than the average yottie, especially when pulling the boat 50 yards up a steep slip at the end of the day.

I don't think "being fit for sailing" is quite the right way to look at the subject though as keeping physically active throughout your life has huge health advantages regardless of physical or not your boat is to sail.
 
So let’s sum it up....we need to promote our...good health...flexibility....strength....agility.....endurance. This will result in not just enjoying sailing more...but getting the most out of life
 
Poecheng said:
I have and I think it helps not just the sailing but life generally. I have changed things over quite a long time as it is not a quick fix nor need it be.
I find it puts a spring in your step and helps me get around the boat, up things, down things and the strength to get out of things.
Click to expand...
I think my main problem is muscular endurance . I'm reasonably happy with the other stuff.
I used to do push aways ( I would struggle to do normal press ups) from the wall and gradually move further away from the wall as strength improved. Sit up's were also too difficult . I found just holding a sit up position for about 10 seconds then just letting go. I would do sets of these exercises three times a week. I don't think that normal sailing would make me particularly stronger.
 
Snowgoose-1 said:
I think my main problem is muscular endurance . I'm reasonably happy with the other stuff.
I used to do push aways ( I would struggle to do normal press ups) from the wall and gradually move further away from the wall as strength improved. Sit up's were also too difficult . I found just holding a sit up position for about 10 seconds then just letting go. I would do sets of these exercises three times a week. I don't think that normal sailing would make me particularly stronger.
Click to expand...
If you need strengthening work...I’ve got a nice anti fouling job coming up
 
Wansworth said:
In fine weather the most energetic activity could be hoisting the main and or getting the anchour up,both straining the back so definitely some exercise in the back region might help like lifting the tv remote off the floor …..I am in a similar situation and although walking is a good idea action that involves lifting and pulling couldhelp
Click to expand...
In previous times with swinging moorings you needed to be strong to go sailing. Pushing dinghys up and down inclined launching ramps, lifting outboards, getting on and off the boat etc. Also , nothing lead back to the cockpit, hank on sails, hauling anchors and so on.
Labour saving devices in general are great but they might be killing the consumer. :)
 
Barton Seagoon said:
I would say you don't need to be very fit, but you do need some strength and agility to sail in realistic conditions. Not when your sailing goes right, but when you need to grapple with a reluctant anchor, or get a rope quickly onto a cleat, or reef your main in a bumpy sea.
Click to expand...
A reserve of strength would be handy for when you needed it. Just day to day living would probably not do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top