Age 70 and still sailing

Freedom77 · Jun 19, 2012

Ever notice after a day of sailing you're tired, but it's a different kind of tired. It's not like tired when you've done heavy yardwork, or home repair or worked on the car. It's a good kind of tired. You're sunburned, sore and beat up but boy you had fun doing it. Betty Davis said, "Gettin' old ain't for sissies." Stealth and cunning will beat youth and enthusiasm every time.

Mic Jones · Jun 19, 2012

r.oril said:
And today I was able to go out of Cannel Islands, Oxnard, CA for a very relaxing sail. I traveled over 15 NM at 4-5 knots and never heeled over 15 degrees. One tack lasted over 45 minutes. Lake sailing has you tacking every few minutes. Bottom line, I got home and was not tired....And...I had Dolphins traveling with me...

Envy you the long tack when you get that sweet spot. Everything is in tune, it sails with out adjustment. It can be on the tiller tamer to go for a leak. ---age !!!

Must get down to coast soon to make a change from the lakes.

Today I heard a good one on the radio by a paediatric Dr who was concerned about the aging boomers. "Get fit now as though you are training for your Eighties".

Freedom77 · Jun 20, 2012

r.oril said:
And today I was able to go out of Cannel Islands, Oxnard, CA for a very relaxing sail. I traveled over 15 NM at 4-5 knots and never heeled over 15 degrees. One tack lasted over 45 minutes. Lake sailing has you tacking every few minutes. Bottom line, I got home and was not tired....And...I had Dolphins traveling with me...

anacapa is great when the tide is down you can go into the tidepools and see all sorts of neat stuff. If you haven't already try to get to Frys Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, magnificent. As far as long tacks, once I sat at the tiller for four hours downwind pegging the knotmeter, chute up on the way to Ensenada. What a Rush!!!

Tony D. Woodpussy · Jun 22, 2012

I'm 75, have restored 5 small fiberglass boats in the past 8 years and picked up another one in NJ this week.See my restoration post on this forum (4500 views)
Skimmar 12' restoration in progress - SailboatOwners.com . I'll do this one in the Spring of 2013. I've been sailing since I was 12 years old (Lightnings on the Hudson River), have owned about 10-12 sailboats along the way. I crew now and then on a Benneteau 23 and still enjoy every minute I spend on the water. Several friends have sailboats and are constantly asking me to join them as crew.
---- I obtained my Captain's license last year (to 25 tons) with a sailing endorsement and I'm alternate Capt. on "Priscilla" a 124 year old restored Oyster sloop at the Long Island Maritime Museum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbFbH0rYmM8&list=UUPh2n4N76SyTdvKzyIt3Xvg&index=1&feature=plcp
I beat two rounds of cancer (thyroid and lung - 2009 & 2010 - so far so good) so every day I spend "messin' with boats" is a great day!
Regards,
Tony .

Tumbleweedtaylor · Jun 29, 2012

Hey Mr. Bill, I just turned 70 in April and am in the process of fixing up a Mac 25. So far my biggest job has been to redo that 625 lb swing keel. At this point I'm just about done fairing it out. I'm a newbie sailer but plan on getting lessons. I can't think of anything more fun than being out on the lake letting the wind take me for a ride.

MacNCheese · Jun 29, 2012

r.oril said:
After posting the PopTop Thread, I got to wondering how many of us, that are 70 and older, are stilll having fun sailing.:dance:

I just turned 70 this year and have been sailing my 1988 MacGregor 26D for about 5 years.

Very impressed by you wise gents. I must apologize that I didn't even think many in their 70's used the internet, but boy am I wrong. 38 now and have only sailed once (friend taught me and let me try piloting his Bristol 40), but I hope to learn and sail till I also reach the age of wisdom. Owned a Mac for 1 year but it's still being restored and will hopefully see water by the end of the summer.

Bob McL · Jun 30, 2012

Very impressed by you wise gents. I must apologize that I didn't even think many in their 70's used the internet, but boy am I wrong.

I guess there are a lot of OLD FOLKS that are technically challenged. But at 74 I sell electronics (TV's and computers) and cell phones. That started after my wife said, "If you want to keep buying parts for that sailboat, get a job." But now she says it was to get me out of her hair. BTW, I only work Friday, Saturday, Sunday so when I do go sailing or fishing, the ski boats are usually of the water - NO WAKE ZONE!

Dennis W · Jun 30, 2012

70 and still sailing. Have a friend 91 who is still flying his plane. Figure I should not consider age a limiting factor.

Freedom77 · Jul 1, 2012

Bob McL said:
I guess there are a lot of OLD FOLKS that are technically challenged. But at 74 I sell electronics (TV's and computers) and cell phones. That started after my wife said, "If you want to keep buying parts for that sailboat, get a job." But now she says it was to get me out of her hair. BTW, I only work Friday, Saturday, Sunday so when I do go sailing or fishing, the ski boats are usually of the water - NO WAKE ZONE!

Ditto Bob, My wife said she married for better or worse, not for lunch everyday!:naughty:

Cruiser1 · Jul 1, 2012

Dennis W said:
............. Have a friend 91 who is still flying his plane..........

Now that IS flying high.:wow: My 16yo son just made the comment 'WOW that would take some keeping' - he is a bit into aerospace stuff.

Great inpiration. I was reading this thread last week when I was in a low spot working on the boat, and wondering how many more years I had to go before I may not be able to keep up with the boat work - have been going like a rocket since reading this thread

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I'm only a young'un at 62 but life keeps me pretty busy with a 14 & 16yo to look after on my own + boat + 100yo timber house + large yard. Something has to go eventually, but it will definitely be the house and the yard before the boat !!.

Now back up into the ceiling and start screwing those rat baits down so the little buggers don't get to the electrical cables

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