Late starters

[Colin_S]

Anyone else out there taken up sailing later in life?
I’m 40 something and have recently got the urge. So far I’ve done some crewing and learnt to sail a small cat on a recent holiday. Plan this year is to do a course or 2 and possibly invest (yeah – bad choice of word) some money in a boat of my own.
If any of you have been in a similar situation, any pointers and tips would be great.

 

[Sgeir]

Sailing only came into my life in the latter half of my 40s when minor injuries suggested it was time to move away from rock and ice climbing (the crappy winters since 90/91 were also an encouragement).

Tried dinghy sailing course, liked it but not hooked on it, though my wife got into it big style.

Then we tried flotilla holiday in Ionian with Activity Holidays (now operating as http://www.activityyachting.com/ and http://www.sunvil.co.uk/sites/sunvil-greece/static/sailing_main.asp) - one week's solid and very very professional tuition, followed by a week let out on our own. Also, had weekend and one-week courses with the national watersports centre at Cumbrae http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/ChannelNavigation/National+Centres/TopicNavigation/Cumbrae/. After that we holidayed by chartering in the North Ionian, Aegean, and Adriatic, as well as, increasingly, on the west coast of Scotland.

Coming in late, I found that the tuition was necessary. Can't speak for others, but I found that professional tuition was helpful in addressing the shortfall in experience, which you can only acquire by doing it.

We did not intend buying a boat before retirement, but we accidentally bumped into one who bought us. The economics of ownership are crazy unless you intend to sail say 50/60+ days a year. Never looked back.

It will depend on your finances, but my tip would be to avoid ownership as long as possible - join a club, charter different boats, sail with friends, get the tuition, do your Day Skipper Practical. If you are really really into it, then, by delaying purchase, you will at least have experience of many different boats and will know what you're after.

Good Luck!

 

[nicho]

Colin,

After many years with motor cruisers, we turned raggie in 2003. I was 59, and Mrs Nicho a "few" years younger (state secret). We ordered a new AWB with everything geared for ease of operation (in-mast reefing, bow thruster, autopilot, heating for the old bones etc etc). The boat's 37 foot long, and a doddle to handle - we love it - no major problems from this end with starting at such a late stage (relatively!) in life, though I have to watch the old back, which from time to time is a problem (though that was caused by earlier involvement in a different sport). Go for it, it's really a great pastime.

Good luck

Mike N

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]

possibly invest (yeah – bad choice of word) some money in a boat of my own.


[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Col,

Bad coice of words indeed.
When people ask me what I had before Yanita, the answer's always: money.
Don't let it put you off tho, it's all worth it (or so I keep saying to myself).
The moment you cast off, you feel the stress ebbing away. If I sail on a Friday night, after just one hour "the world" seems lightyears away.
Nothing beats THAT feeling (apart from a warm bed and the love of a good woman - coming dear!)

 

[AliM]

Yes, Started on dinghies at 45+ (after a little sailing when a teenager), moved onto proper boats 50+. Within about 8 months, starting last autumn, we bought a boat, passed Yachtmaster theory (correspondence course), got our ICC's (with 2 days own boat tuition), VHF certificates, and then sailed to the Baltic, and in the Baltic for a few months in the summer, and sailed back to the UK. We certainly aren't experts now, but we have a pretty realistic idea of our limitations.

My advice is:
Don't wait, do it now.
Get enough tuition/advice/help from experts that you feel confident.
If in doubt ask for more advice.
Enjoy it - it's the best fun we've had for decades!

Good luck

Ali /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Aeolus_IV]

[ QUOTE ]
avoid ownership as long as possible - join a club, charter different boats, sail with friends, get the tuition, do your Day Skipper Practical

[/ QUOTE ]

This is sound advice - you'll know when its the right time to buy a boat - when sailing other peoples frustrates you to the point where you're not enjoying it. Owning your own boat is worth the time, money, pain, pleasure, hard work, aches (did I mention money?) I wouldn't change Aeolus for anything, eventually the boat does become part of the family - or perhaps I'm too sentimental. It doesn't matter /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Welcome to the fold.

Regards, Jeff.

 

[Colin_S]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far - sounds like there's hope for me yet /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The biggest problem with crewing on other peoples boats is that it's fine for me but does not get the family involved. I've got a 13 year old daughter who is 'busting a gut' to come out with me but the oppertunity has not yet appeared. My wife thinks I'm mad and has no interest in the idea but she said the same about my jetski until she had a go on it one day. 2 hours later she bought it back to find out what the red light was that kept flashing - 'that'll be the fuel light dear, you've used it all!'

My neighbour's brother-in-law owned a yacht up until recently and only sold it due to his wife's ill health. She unfortunately passed away recently and I suspect that, should I buy a boat, he will be willing to come and help and pass on his years of experience - he's got a full beard so must know what he's doing! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[AndrewB]

[ QUOTE ]
The biggest problem with crewing on other peoples boats is that it's fine for me but does not get the family involved. I've got a 13 year old daughter who is 'busting a gut' to come out with me but the oppertunity has not yet appeared.

[/ QUOTE ]Don't assume this enthusiasm will survive the first encounter with reality - unless carefully nurtured!

I have a theory that kids do better if they start on boats AWAY from their parents. Probably the worst way to start is with a parent who is nominally in command of the yacht but still in the early stages of learning - it quickly becomes all too tense.

 

[beancounter]

The Memsahib & I are two more late starters. We discovered dinghies in our late 30's, cruising in our late 40's. Some good advice above about not rushing into boat ownership. You'll "know" when it's the right time. In our case, after 4 years of sailing with friends, flotillas, RYA training etc, a combination of circumstances has meant that we feel the time is right to make the jump into ownership.

Stick with it!

John

 

[FlyingDutchman]

We are late starters too, I am 44 now, but in motorboating.
The first boat we bought in August 2003 and used it 2 months (25 motoring hours) before it was layed up. During the winter and early spring 2004 we did all sorts of maintenance and improvements. It was launched again in early April 2004 and two weeks later the neighbour's boat caught fire and ours was destroyed in too (total loss). After having recovered from the shock (it is a very tragic sight believe me) we decided to buy an other boat so started looking again. We found the right boat for us and the experience from the first boat came in handy. We bought the boat in August last year and used it 2 months again (45 motoring hours) before it was layed up again. I sure hope to have a little more luck this season!

I learned two things:
Owning your own boat is fun. It lies in the fact that it is yours. You can just sit on it and have a beer and enjoy it!
Take lessons. I did not and although there were no incidents so far, I still don't feel confident which creates stress sometimes. I plan to take a few lessons from a friend who has been on the water his whole life

Good luck and have fun!
Jan

 

[snowleopard]

[quotehe's got a full beard so must know what he's doing!

[/ QUOTE ]

i knew there must be a reason i've kept mine for the last 37 years /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(why are there no bearded smilies on this forum, have to go back to the old way...)? #

 

[aitchw]

Totally and utterly agree with AndrewB having made that very mistake with my son but in dinghies. We now have a small 2 berth cruiser and last year was the first time since then that he was actually enjoying himself under sail. I now sail my dinghies on my own or with none related crew which was not the intention at all.

I would be surprised if you don't find a friendly owner who would be happy to take you both out occasionally. Just don't pick a wild day for her first trip. Having got involved I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of spirit I have found among sailing folk and try hard to be the same.

BTW, I started sailing at 55 having wasted years hankering after doing it and always finding reasons why I couldn't/shouldn't. Not taking it up was one of the bigger mistakes of my life and there have been a few. Hope you find as much pleasure in sailing as I have.

Good luck.

Howard

 

[roberth]

Colin

Sounds like you are well over halfway there!

I had the same urge (!) for bigger boats this time last year, when I was a mere 46. Visited Excel and booked up in a competent crew course in Feb. Thought it would be full of keen, fit youngsters, but three of us were about the same age - most encouraging. Upgraded to Day Skipper on same course having done copious amounts of reading/studying to learn baiscs of nav, tidal calcs, colregs etc.

Bought boat in June, sailed round from Burnham to Newhaven as a warm up (with experienced crew including yachtmaster, I hasten to add). Spent as many days on board as possible since, including two-handed with SWMBO to Lymington and back.

Boat is old (1976), but very seaworthy and was reasonably priced. Once bitten by the bug, go and buy somehing of your own to get you out on the water - when it comes to learning, there is no substitute for messing about on the boat. It's surprising how quick you can start pushing the boundaries, and how quickly confidence grows.

But good tuition is also important, so get some grounding and follow it up. I am aiming for YM this year - if I can do it, anyone can. PM if you need further info - boat based at Newhaven, but may move to Dover in March - near to you? I be happy to take you out for a day.

I, and I suspect many other late starters, really needed a fresh challange in life, and big-boat sailing has certainly provided it. Don't let cost put you off - it can be a struggle, but believe me and everyone else on this forum when they say it's worth it!

Good luck


Robert

 

[cardinal_mark]

After sailing / racing dinghies from about the age of 12 until 18 or so, I suddenly lost all interest in things nautical. But then out of the blue, aged 39, I just got bitten by the bug again - big time!

My approach for the last couple of years has been to get RYA'd and charter and this has been a very good way of gauging real family interest without wrecking the bank balance.

I would say that the best way of easing in our children (aged 6 & 9 and who were also dead keen to come along) was in the sunny Med. For them, a strong wind along with grey and threatening sea, and a fraught dad at the helm, even in the Solent, is hugely unnerving! But, an expanse of blue sky, a warm sun, a gentle breeze and slight sea state and they love it to bits! Also helps that I'm pretty chilled as well - nothing will put them off quicker than seeing the guy they think is king of the seas cacking his pants!

I'm looking around to perhaps buy at the moment but I'm certainly not going to rush in - hey I'm only 43 and that's not late in life by my standards! All the time I'm happy to sail without hassle (ie charter!) I will continue to do so... but then I still know that once I 'fall' for the right boat all rationality will go out of the window and this will inevitably coincide with the precise moment the rest of the family decide they've had enough of tugging ropes in the driving wind and rain we laughingly call summer!

Happpy sailing


Mark

 

[BlueSkyNick]

'Invest' isn't quite such a silly word - many boats hold their value for a long time. OUrs is now worth more than it was brand new 15 years ago. So whilst you can't expect any growth in the capital, you can assume that there shouldn't be too much depreciation either, as long as you buy the right boat.

However, there is a cost to that capital if you have to borrow it, or lose interest on savings. Then add on mooring charges, maintenance, buying new toys etc it can add up - I prefer not to do the sums becuase the pleasure and reward far outweigh the concerns about cost.

Furthermore, you don't need to buy an expensive boat to have a lot of fun. You can start at approx 20 foot, and have some great weekends. SOme will tell you can go across the channel too, but personally I would prefer not to!

 

[steve123]

I've had similar experience to Sgier. Sailing was always something I was going to do when I got older. We'll I decided when I was 40 that I was 'older' and was struggling to keep up with the running and climbing. I bought a dinghy, took a course and joined a local dinghy club, sailing on a lake. That was OK for a couple of years but I wasn't into racing and it got a bit boring going round and round the same stretch of water, although the experience was useful as I moved up to larger boats. It also enabled my wife and two sons to learn the basics in a safe and supportive environment.

Next I bought a 16 foot trailer sailor with a couple of friends and ventured onto larger lakes and the sea. Also started taking the RYA theory and practical courses (Day and Coastal Skipper). Most people I meet seem to have been sailing since they were kids and I needed to learn what was second nature to them.

I wanted to buy a boat of my own but felt I needed more experience both to decide what type to buy and for confidence. So I joined a yacht club and started crewing - many racing boats are looking for crew, not necessarily experienced just enthusiastic. They also go out when many cruisers wouldn't, so you get experience in a wide variety of conditions. This also enabled the wife and kids to get experience, often on a different boat to me which was an advantage! We then chartered on the Clyde for a family holiday and finally in 2003 bought our own boat in which we cruise and occasionally race.

It's now nearly nine years since I started and in May we are setting off for a five month trip - we both managed to get a sabbatical from work.

So to summarise:
Starting small is cheaper and gives you valuable experience, joining a club is a good way to get lots of advice and experience, taking courses ensures that you have the necessary knowledge and skills, chartering is a good way to build confidence and help decide what boat is right for you.

Good luck, Steve.

 

[Colin_S]

Andrew - I'm pretty sure my daughter will enjoy sailing based on her 'previous form'

 

[Colin_S]

Thanks everyone else for your replies. Lots of good advice as always. I've tried to book a comp. crew course a couple of times when I've had a quiet period at work but each time they were fully booked. I think I will just have to book it and work around whatever date it is.
The boat I've been crewing on has been whilst racing and I've been invited to crew this year on the EAORA series which I'm looking forward to.

Karsha, I live in the Bexley area right by the A2 so perhaps will take you up on your offer one day soon if you relocate to Dover.

 

[jimi]

Colin, forget comp crew, I'll take you sailing a couple of times over the winter if you want, reckon you'll learn most from coastal skipper but start doing the theory.

 

[TheBoatman]

I’m truly heartened

To read so many replies advocating learning or doing courses. What brilliant advice, well done the forum.

Join a club,,,buy a boat,,,enjoy life.

Peter.