Learning to sail - age etc

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Ron5

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Hi All

I'm new to the forum, this is my first post and I am looking for some practical advice before taking a very big decision.

My wife and I are both 55 and have only owned motoboats in the past, the largest being 23' and the last 10 years ago. Neither of us have ever done any sailing. The big question that needs a serious answer is are we too old to learn to sail?

Our plan is to buy a boat around the 40' mark and moor it in Spain and possibly go there for two weeks at a time to begin with. The initial idea is to go up the coast around to Italy and beyond over a period of years. At this point we don't see the need or desire to do anything other than coastal sailing although with experience we could well go further.

After surviving all that the recession could throw at us and in my wife's case serious illness we want a change in our lives but the age thing (and fitness) is nagging away at me.

So please fire away and be honest with regards to age and fitness.

Cheers, Ron
 
Ron5 said:
Hi All

I'm new to the forum, this is my first post and I am looking for some practical advice before taking a very big decision.

My wife and I are both 55 and have only owned motoboats in the past, the largest being 23' and the last 10 years ago. Neither of us have ever done any sailing. The big question that needs a serious answer is are we too old to learn to sail?

Our plan is to buy a boat around the 40' mark and moor it in Spain and possibly go there for two weeks at a time to begin with. The initial idea is to go up the coast around to Italy and beyond over a period of years. At this point we don't see the need or desire to do anything other than coastal sailing although with experience we could well go further.

After surviving all that the recession could throw at us and in my wife's case serious illness we want a change in our lives but the age thing (and fitness) is nagging away at me.

So please fire away and be honest with regards to age and fitness.

Cheers, Ron
Click to expand...

I guess you have been wondering where this had got to. Explanation in the feed back forum.

Not going to attempt to answer your question .... It all depends on how your health goes..... If I had bought another boat at 55, and I was thinking about it, it would have been a total waste.

Anyway

BUMP!
 
Capt. RoN

For what it's worth, I have only regretted the things I didn't do in this life, never the things I did do, although sometimes I made a mess, or made bad decisions and got hurt, that's what life is all about.
67 now and just bought a boat to try the French canals.
Look out Med. here I come.
 
Ron5 said:
Hi All

I'm new to the forum, this is my first post and I am looking for some practical advice before taking a very big decision.

My wife and I are both 55 and have only owned motoboats in the past, the largest being 23' and the last 10 years ago. Neither of us have ever done any sailing. The big question that needs a serious answer is are we too old to learn to sail?

Our plan is to buy a boat around the 40' mark and moor it in Spain and possibly go there for two weeks at a time to begin with. The initial idea is to go up the coast around to Italy and beyond over a period of years. At this point we don't see the need or desire to do anything other than coastal sailing although with experience we could well go further.

After surviving all that the recession could throw at us and in my wife's case serious illness we want a change in our lives but the age thing (and fitness) is nagging away at me.

So please fire away and be honest with regards to age and fitness.

Cheers, Ron
Click to expand...

You're 55, not 75! If you start discounting things now on the basis of age, you'll be in an old folks home by the age of 60.

Get on with it. (Although do you really need a 40' boat to live on for two weeks at a time?)

Edit: I'm 54, did my first 1/2 marathon this year and intend to get my first full marathon done next year. You're still young!
 
Not sure why you have doubts about age. Don't think you're too old at all if you have the right attitude.

Physical strength helps, but if you've got reasonable health you'll be fine and will build up the strength with practice. There's lots on a boat to help you with the loads, you could even get one with electric winches if you so desire.

Experience also helps. Amazing how much intelligent anticipation reduces the need for brute force grunt. That will come with time.

Size also makes a difference. The sails are harder to manage on larger boats, so don't be tempted to go for bigger than you need.

If you're worried about learning to trim sails well you needn't worry about it too much. Most cruisers without a dinghy or racing background don't seem to anyway.

I think (I'm not a mobo'er) that sailing boats are harder to manouvre in marinas than mobos, but you could go for a bow thruster. Detracts a bit from the sailing performance but as a cruiser that needn't worry you too much.

I guess your skills are quite rusty after ten years, but some of them are transferrable from power to sail.

I'm not a great fan of beginners learning to sail by trial and error especially on 40' type boats, so I'd advise sailing with a few others until you knock the rust off, pick up sailing-specific skills and build up your confidence. Judicious use of RYA course will help, but don't expect them to teach you much beyond the very basics about the sails.
 
Ron5,

my Dad was a 50+ year old golfer when for some reason I as a youngster got the sailing bug, then after school courses taught him - you may imagine how that went at times, but 100% to Dad for realising he liked sailing and went along with it.

How Dad will smile when I mention your question, he's 88 now, still fit and comes sailing for a few weekends each season; he and mum swapped their cruiser for a camper van a while ago but Dad certainly hasn't given up sailing.

I understand you are heading off for relatively long distances, my advice would be that as long as you are both able to physically move around in comfort - not crashing around like some spectacular videos - go for some try out sailing in the smallest sailing keelboat / yacht you can within reasonable safety.

The smaller the boat the clearer the cues and effects as to sail and ballast trim, what's happening and the effect of your inputs, ie the best and quickest training.

Dinghy instincts, sail trimming and responses will be gold dust to you.

Sail trimming and performance in cruisers is not for winning races, it's mainly for managing enjoyably fast sailing, an example of which is getting home fastest before bad weather hits and / or to the pub !

When you end up through no fault of your own with another boat sailing close by with a little practice you'll quietly tweak everything then grin as you leave her behind... -

Plus getting safely into port without breaking the boat or crew, and sailing in anywhere if the engine fails - seamanship; not as serious or difficult as it sounds, good fun.

A golden rule of mine is always to sail any design I haven't yet tried; this helps understand boat design, crew working techniques, construction methods, all sorts and by volunteering has got me a lot of really wonderful 'learning experiences' on other peoples' lovely boats.

Top Tip of all; It's meant to be fun in the 21st Century not an 18th Century endurance test, please remember that !
 
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But some ideas for you, BOTH of you do your days skippers & do a flotilla holiday?

I am not certain where you live, or how expensive berthing is some where near....

For 12 months buy a cheap boat (there are plenty, cheaper than the cost of the above) that you 2 can sleep on in the 26 foot ish range (with heating?). Bilge keel, centreboard, trailer sailor, motor sailor? almost anything will do as long as it has sails. Just make sure you do not mind loosing a bit of money on her when you want to sell (although you could get lucky and make some)...

Moor locally use for day sails weekends, berthing, anchoring, sailing, make all your mistakes on her (cheaper than on a big boat) whilst you are planning what you want in the way of a bigger boat.

Your not to old unless you are talking yourselfs into it....
 
Last edited:
Ron5 said:
Neither of us have ever done any sailing. The big question that needs a serious answer is are we too old to learn to sail?
Click to expand...
NO
As long as you want to sail and can get on a boat then you can learn; I understand 55 is the new middle age.
 
Last edited:
Ron5 said:
Hi All


My wife and I are both 55 and have only owned motoboats in the past, the largest being 23' and the last 10 years ago. Neither of us have ever done any sailing. The big question that needs a serious answer is are we too old to learn to sail?

Our plan is to buy a boat around the 40' mark and moor it in Spain and possibly go there for two weeks at a time to begin with. The initial idea is to go up the coast around to Italy and beyond over a period of years. At this point we don't see the need or desire to do anything other than coastal sailing although with experience we could well go further.

After surviving all that the recession could throw at us and in my wife's case serious illness we want a change in our lives but the age thing (and fitness) is nagging away at me.

So please fire away and be honest with regards to age and fitness.

Cheers, Ron
Click to expand...


We were the same age when we started sailing, same scenario, we sail a 40ft boat, just the two of us, crossed Biscay last year. The fitness thing may be an issue, we addressed it by taking up cycling and like sailing wished I had found it 30 years ago. Not really sure now how I found the time to go to work.

Dont just accept my word the BBC confirm our thoughts.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-19622330
 
I didn't do any sailing until I was 54 (12 years ago). I regret the years that I didn't sail and intend to keep going as long as I can. I sail a 31footer often singlehanded, have done several North Sea crossings, spent many weeks in Holland and love it.

Go for it!
 
You can lose a lot of money buying a big boat with limited experience. The dream can be a long way from reality - in some cases it becomes a nightmare. Try a bit of sailing - a course or a flotilla holiday perhpas (possibly both).


Be quite sure of what you BOTH want to do & then just bloody do it!

As others have said, big boats are slower to react, carry their way & are generally more forgiving. But they have big powerfull sails & carry a great deal of kinetic energy when the hit things (like other boats, quaysides or even someone's leg!) They are also expensive to maintain & repair.

Small boats are easy to manage & more responsive, quicker to accelerate, stop & turn. But they are "tippy", & can throw you around in a short steep sea. They are still expensive to maintain & repair, but not eyewateringly, bankruptingly so.

So, do a bit of sailing on other people's boats, have a really good look at what you see around you & for sale. Give it 12 months research, learning & experimentation & then you will KNOW if it is for you or not.
 
You could try the "safe" course and find a sailing school or a yacht club to ease you into sailing or - the next most risky; book two weeks with sailing holidays the best IMHO; buy a boat and sail it, you must know someone who can sail, forget the courses they will just put the fear of god into you. You know boats you just need a bit of help with the string and flappy things - don't wait for illness to overtake you, get out and do it.

best of luck
 
During the winter study a bit of naval architecture,maybe for your med life a boat that motors well and sails off the wind ie a motor sailer just under 10 mtresto avoid marina fees but enough space for all you need.Load carrying boats are tubbier and slowe to windward but are spacy inside fir their lenght and as a rule you will be stopped more than going,so to speak.
 
We have our first boat and we are aged 48 & 51. I would recommend a flotilla holiday before buying so that you will know what you want in & from a boat in terms of space and speed. You may not want to spend time speeding & trimming and your idea of a good sail is moving the floating caravan from one sunny spot to another with a cold drink in one hand and just starting the engine if that wind stuff runs out so make sure you get horses for courses.

Our first boat is a 26' Westerly Centaur and although we have lived on her for weeks at a time (long story) having been to the boat show yesterday, I wish with hindsight we had bought the biggest we could have afforded. Only because of little niggles, nothing serious - living for weeks at a time on a small boat with two dogs is quite an ask! However we managed quite nicely and we are still together! We absolutely adore our Flora, but we are in the lucky position where we can pop down and visit her and/or sail her every day if we chose. However, we have our first 'race' this weekend for charity and we are expecting to come a close last! :D

For two weeks at a time, something like a 26 would be okay, but our next boat will be 36, just so we can have a few luxuries and more space as we both like to cook. However, the new Southerly 32 is absolutely amazing for living accommodation (sleeping is a little more confined but that is of lesser importance in my mind) she is an absolute beauty!

The Hanses are spacious and a pre-loved Hanse would be a good buy - especially if it was well-specced. The interiors are well laid out and the deck space is nicely uncluttered & of decent width which is great if you are older - scrambling, swinging & ducking gets a bit tiresome after a few hours!

You are never to old to start something new & interesting and I wish you all the best in your new adventure!!

Di
 
It's worrying that you even think age could be a barrier but I suppose it sort of depends what you've been doing for the last umpteen years. If you've been sitting on your arse getting fat then you will have quite a hill to climb even to hoist the sails on a 40 footer.
 
awol said:
It's worrying that you even think age could be a barrier but I suppose it sort of depends what you've been doing for the last umpteen years. If you've been sitting on your arse getting fat then you will have quite a hill to climb even to hoist the sails on a 40 footer.
Click to expand...

Even with labour saving gismos there is need for a certain level of fitness as you say.Her in Spain to get the licence to navigate you have have a medical certficate.It when the ****e hits the fan and action is needed that some older people may get winded......I am in training fro next year moving firewood from the bottom(down hill) to the top of the estate and find myself winded so will definately work towards getting fit 62yres old.
 
I did not start until I was 48.

Mindful of someone's quote on here "I find you get older quicker if you wait for it".

If you can afford it go for it.

I believe some people diagnosed with seriousd illnesses have given up on work and life and gone sailing only to find their condition improves with the relaxing sailing life.
 
It's not that difficult to be honest. We did a flotilla in turkey and there were four retired women on one of the boats. Only one of them had ever sailed before, once. They managed very well and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Go for it asap.
 
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