Age is just a number

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Joan S. Pitman

Never to Old

I have been boating for 40 years mostly on inland lakes and on Lake Erie. I raced in my early years in a Lido 14 sailboat, which was like a thimble on the water, but was a wonderful boat to sail. For three years placed in the top three in the in-terlake regatta on Lake Erie. This was the age when it was not common for a women to sail their own boat let a loan win a race. However the men I sailed against were great sports, and out to win. These were great years. I power boated for a number of years, but my first love was sailing. and that is what I am doing in Pensacola. I am now 71 years old and plan to sail as long as I am in good health. Good health is a factor, but it is a wonderful sport.
 
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Steve LeBlanc

Sailing with Diabetes

I'm 46, been dianosed with diabetes and that's not going to stop me from sailing. In fact, it has just made me want to sail more.
 
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Russell

I hate my catagory

45-60 Wait one minute I'm only 47 and am now in a demographic group that includes 60! Help. Can't wait untill I turn 50 so I can take the invatation to AARP and burn it. You are only as young as your feel or make that you are only as young as you sail
 
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Dee Bernreuter

I thought after my husband died 2 1/2 yrs. ago That I would never own another sailboat, or sail again. It had been six years since we had sold our Vision 32, my favorite of the three sailboats we had owned. However, after wandering around the country, Mexico and Central America, I knew I had to get back to my passion, sailing! As a single 63 yr. old woman I bought another Vision 32 and have proceded to have it restored to the best possible condition. I have also upgraded all the electronics, will be upgrading the sails and rollar furling. I've had 25 yrs. experience of sailing San Francisco Bay, and five trips down the coast to Monterey. I've missed the water and the sailing so much. Right now I'm waiting for a surgery date for my back, but I still go out for a sail. The Vision is an easy boat to sail and with the additional modifications I need due my height and lack of brut strength, I hope to be sailing a long time. Life is too short....enjoy every minute you have!
 
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JR

Age....a state of mind!

I was told years ago in boot camp that you're only as old as you smell! That said, age is a function of how you feel after your most recent hot shower....to ease the cramps of arthritis, worn our joints, body, etc. My wife and I plan to sail until we're forced into a house boat....the only vessel we've seen that has wide enough walkways for the wheelchairs!
 
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CELESTINO

change course

After 10 year's with motor boat's, I change course to a old dream, and with 51 year's old I own a first 310. My friend's call me crazy but I don't care.
 
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Jenny

Until Forever

I have been sailing since I was 3 years old, with a few years off when Uncle Sam stationed me in the desert. I will continue to sail until my kids pour my ashes over the side and bid me fairwinds for the last time.
 
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John Fisher

Have been sailing 40yrs going for 40 more

Will sail until we can't get on the boat anymore
 
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Tom Twonutski

Rubber Duckey

Well, lets see. I have been sailing for 40 years and still enjoy the life - I am 51 years old. I will sail until the work that the boat takes making ready for the season overides the enjoyment that I derive from the activity of actually sailing. I may retire to sailing a small craft on an inland lake as opposed to messing with the big stuff. A trawler is just a motorized version of the same maintenance headache but with a big stinky diesel working all the time instead of just some of the time. There are already those times that just sitting in a pool shoving a rubber duckey around sounds relaxing.
 
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Tim

Been sailing since 10

I started off with an English made kit my father built called a Mirror. We were 1 of the first 6 inported. I then moved to windsurfing and lasers. Next step was a San Juan 21 daysailer. Felt the need for Speed so I bought a Hobie 16. Last fall we added a Pearson 28. Between the windsurfers, Hobie and the Pearson I have a nice mix of speed and comfort depending on my mood. At 37 I continue to love sailing of all forms. Even did some land sailing on a homemade windsurfer skateboard(very fast and dangerous). I have settled down a little to cruising but still love the experience of going fast and getting wet. Tim Portland, Maine
 
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Ramsay Selden

I'm Changing, but Plan to Sail On!

I also learned to sail very young and have loved doing it on various boats my whole life. As I have gotten older (I'm now 55) I have been more into cruising boats than performance or racing types. I now have a Hunter 34. My plan is to retire onto a boat full time in 4-5 years. I want to keep sailing, but I want to do it in a comfortable and manageable way, so I'll get something with a pilot house and easy sail-handling for single handling.
 
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philip brownell

what age ??

another sailing year has past. It started when I was 3 months old, on Grandpas 86 foot schooner, KELPIE , on Nantucket sound,according to my mother.From then to now, from Buzzards Bay to Florida Bay, I still sail the Hobie Cat, and my new Beetle Cat.Looking to continue with a new shallow draft, 30 foot something, for the next 30-40 years, at the Upper Keys Sail club on Florida Bay. This is sailors heaven-365 days available.Warm, windy, and sunshine!
 
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Cam Whetstone

Sort of a new sailor

The first time I stepped on a sailboat was when I was 41. It was in 1981 and it was a columbia 22. Soon thereafter I started sailing 22' sailboats in and around the Chesapeake Bay. I first had a british built gaff rigged cutter, and later bought a Rhoades 22 (great boat), and then on to a MacGregor 22. I am currently 66 and a few years ago, knowing my retirement was coming soon, I started looking for a cruising sailboat. My interest was drawn to Hunters, since I could afford a 33 or 34, and they seemed to be the best buy for my money. However, my neighbor re-introduced me to the Columbia line of sailboats. I fell in love with the Columbia 36. I gave my son my MacGregor 22 and bought my boat a couple of years ago. I am slowly getting it in the shape it has to be to try the ditch to florida soon. At 66, I don't know when I will no longer be able to sail, but I hope it is a long way off. Cam Whetstone s/v C36 - Wolf's Den Baltimore, Md. USA
 
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Brian

demographic surprise

I was extremely fortunate to have chosen sailing as a life long passion at the ripe old age of 24. Now, at 25, I dream of someday living a cruising lifestyle where I can take my dreams with me to the open waters and make them my reality. This powerfully motivating force pushes me to excel in all areas of life which ensures a good shot at seeing my vision come to fruition... many thanks to this forum for all the knowledge it has provided thus far in my first year of tenure. Brian Conneely H23 kickin' back
 
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Dick Horton

Everything gets heavier

The only thing that has changed with my sailing is that everything has gained weight...including me. I try to conciously compensate for what I know is true...that I can't do everything I used to as fast as I used to do it. I know that to stay safe I have to be more cautious. But, I still don't shy from any voyage that I would have tried before...just am more careful.
 
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Ben

too early to tell

I'm pretty young, 24, and just started sailing a few years ago. And just got my capri 22 last year. I sail as much often as the weather cooperates, and I can ditch work and other obligations. Which means that I don't get out as often as I want to. I intend to sail more as I get older, in the hopes that I can simplify my life and leave more time to spend on a boat. It may be wishful thinking, but that's the plan so far. Wish me luck.
 
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john d. brannan

you and the wind and the water

raced snipes and lasers for 23 years in the midwest chartered cruising boats in florida the east coast west coast and virgin islands retired to florida 15 years ago and sailed a catalina27 for 9 years and now own a catalina 34 southwest florida is an ideal cruising area modern cities and marinas and deserted islands for gunkholing am 75 and plan to be sailing till 120 good luck and good health
 
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Dan Breitenbach

Where are the young'ens?

As I voted in the poll today I checked the answers. The majority of the respondents are over 40. Now that could be a reflection of the members of the HOW, but somehow I think not. Where are the young'ens and how do we get them sailing?
 
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Zsolt Regenyi

did I forget what I knew?

I am 65 years old. Just finished a voyage from Atlantic France St. Gilles to Croatia on a 12,5 m long Catamaran. I was wondering wheather I can do it. I was not prepared phisicaly. (It was not a single sailing trip still it was rather difficult. When we had wrong days I asked myself: ' why are you here ' now I would return again. My question is who can explain the 'longing to the sea' feeling. I think it is like loving somebody. Somtimes we hate her somtimes missing her....
 
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Chris Bloor

How old is old?

My parents starting sailing in their 40s -- we'd grown up on power boats because they thought we'd get bored on sailboats. If they'd only known! Now in their late 70s, with Mom no longer able to haul Dad up the mast in the bosun's chair, they bought a power boat and named it "Square One" as in "Back to..." Bob and I also purchased our first sailboat in our 40s (a Beneteau 235) and now in our 50s are enjoying our Catalina 42 tremendously. However, Bob races so much (and I don't!!!!), that now we're looking at a C-22 that I can single-hand on inland lakes around home (central Ohio). We hope to continue sailing as long as my parents did, longer if we're able. Bob would like to take early retirement in four years, then we'll get the house in order, sell it and move aboard. He wants to cross the Atlantic -- I want to cruise the Great Lakes and the ICW! In the meantime, we're working to fill the "kitty," and looking ahead to full-time cruising keeps us going when the going gets tough! Chris Bloor & Bob Sheppard S/Y Great Escape III C-42 #372
 
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