How old is too old? and for what size boat?

[Terry Arnold]

Joshua Slocum

Captain Slocum had been effectively turned out to pasture after his ship wrecked and couldn't get another command evidently because of his age, early 50s. In the very last of the 19th century, he was considered old. His response, resurrecting a wreck and sailing the rebuilt boat around the world alone for the first time placed him forever in the annals of great sailors. The subsequent writing "Sailing Alone Around the World" showed him also a matchless writer of travel and adventure. Slocom disappeared at 65 single handing again. Speculation has it that he must have been run down by a steamer or whale since he was too good a sailor to be lost through normal perils of the sea. Any sailor who doesn't have a volume of Slocom, particularly any old sailor, can check out the link for a wonderful version on line of the entire book. Essentially a wonderful cruising chronical, I pick it up over and over, just reading a part here or there. Slocum is the fountainhead of single handing cruising and a continuing inspiration to this old sailor of 68 years.

 

[Ross]

If you search for the Slocum society

you will find a list of all the solo circumnavigators on record.This is an excerpt of the oldest.INTRODUCTION: A WORLD RECORDDavid B. Clark holds the World Record as the “oldest person to circumnavigate the world solo” in a small sailboat. On December 7, 2001, David at age 77 arrived back in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to fulfill a dream that had begun ten years earlier. From 1987 to 1991, David made a complete circumnavigation of the world, much of it solo, in a 31-foot sailboat. Then from 1993 to 1995, David made his first attempt to establish the world’s record, but the trip ended in disaster when his boat was dismasted in the Southern Indian Ocean and the voyage was aborted.October 1998 to December 2001, SUCCESS!! Read details of the trip in the achived UPDATEs.http://www.dclark.com/sub_proj.htmlEdited for typo

 

[sailaway78]

Very good answers

Since Tony B started this thread, I must respond in kind. Tony was gentleman enough to not tell my age, but really I don't mind who knows. I turned 68 this past June. Currently we are in New Jersey, about to leave for warmer places. Some one else stated here that age is only a state of mind. I believe that. I do not believe anyone should ever think they are too old to do anything. At some point the physical limitations will catch you, but as long as you can , just do it.

 

[Herb Parsons]

State of Mind Indeed!!

Ross said it well, it's a state of mind. I had the priviledge of being the "youngster" (49!) on the crew of four on the trip that Tony spoke of. Out of the four, I was definitely the least experienced, least knowledgable (about sailing at least), and likely the least able physically. I DID have the uncanny ability to sleep through 8 foot seas, even in the v-berth, and never get seasick, but as far as abilities go, that's probably all I had on any of those "old guys".One thing Tony either forgot about, or forgot to mention - about 4 days out, the leech adjustment line inside the jib worked it's way out of the "pocket" of the sail, and hung on a spreader. We were out on the middle of the gulf, no land in sight, with 2-4' seas, and guess who went up the mast free it.Not me, the way-too-fat "youngster" on board. Not even the still young and hearty 49 year old new owner. Nope, it was the wiry "old guy" on board. I was amazed.Tony bud, you need to quit worrying about being too old. Sail until you can't anymore. Then find someone to sail your boat if you have to, or find something else you love to do. I suspect though, that "until you can't anymore" is much further off than you think.

 

[sailortonyb]

Thanks Herb

Thanks Herb, I'm 59 not 49. But anyway, its not something I'm worried about. When i feel myself getting too weak, I'll just have to buy an electric winch or two. I was just wondering what others thought. I do disagree with most on one point in that age is just a state of mind. Your physical limitations are on the rise. If anyone here 60 years old thinks he has the same physical strength and stamina as he did when he was 40 is kidding himself. Not too many olympic athletes taking home the gold at 75 years old. Fortunately, we live in a day and age where technology is constantly on the move. Roller mains and power winches can add several more years to cruising life. I was wondering how many people here on this website over 65 still cruise. Phillip (Nice and Easy) still does. Whe i was living aboard in Biloxi, Ms. there was a couple in their early 70's that made a Bahamas trip every year on a 32 or 33 ft Pearson (I think). Bill, the 4th member on our trip was cruising till he was about 70. Then his knees started to give out on him making it too difficult to cruise with just him and his wife. How about anyone else?

 

[Ross]

Sailortonyb, I agree that I don't have the

strength and stamina that I had when I was forty, and not the agility but I have made up for much of that with experience. I still repair houses for a living and still work alone. I don't build concrete block walls any more but I only did about three anyway. I have never been a large man, unless 5 foot 6 inches is large but a ladder lets me reach as high as anyone else. My contention is that it is an error to look at the calender and decide that you are too old for some endeavor. At my present 68 years, am I too old to circumnanigate The Delmarva pennisula,? Probably single handed but with one or two crew I don't doubt that I could. I don't any longer put in ten hour working days, mostly because I don't have too. Although on occassion I stretch a day in order to finish the job. My old neighbor called me one day when he was about eighty and asked me to stop by. So I did. He had dug a four inch diameter gum tree and balled and burlaped the roots but couldn't get it out of the hole by himself. Between us we got it up on flat ground and rolled it like one wheel on an axle down into his pasture where he had also prepared a hole for planting this tree. We lined things up and eased the tree into the hole. The top of the root ball was flush with the surrounding ground and there was a four inch gap all around the root ball. He thanked me and said he could take it from there. He filled the gap around the roots and wheel barrowed the excess dirt back to the hole the tree came from. When you dig a tree the rule is one foot of root ball for each inch of tree trunk. His motto about work was if you just keep doing you will be able to keep doing.

 

[sailortonyb]

Ross.........

Probably the most important point made here is your statement " I don't have the strength and stamina that I had when I was forty, and not the agility but I have made up for much of that with experience." there were also other good points by others, one of which was something to the effect that larger boats react slower and therefore are easier for an older person to handle. I never thought of it that way. I figure I have at least 10 -12 years of cruising with just me and my wife. That would put me at 71. Then all else depends on my own personal physical health. So far, i have been lucky in life in that im rarely ever sick and my job keeps me physically active......lots of climbing and walking. Local sailing, other than cruising, i figure i could get involved in an explorer post and let the younger kids take over the boat. Also another alternative to extend my sailing life would be to get into long distance races wherein I have a crew. Only time will tell. By the way, I', only 5-8 with one hell of a gut, which I'm trying to lose. The recent weight gain is killing me. Quit smoking last year, now i have to adjust to my new 'size'. Hopefully I will be losing more weight soon. Phillip ( nice and easy ) has the advantage of being thin as a rail. That sure helps.Thanks to all that have responded to this post.

 

[Ross]

Tonyb, When I turned fifty I went to my Doctor

and told him that I wanted a complete physical. He wanted to know why. I told him that as best I could tell I was completely healthy and I wanted him to have a baseline so that one day when I came in complaining he would know what the machinery sounded like when it was running right. He was pleased ran all of his tests, did some blood work and told me that if I didn't go bad he would see me in two years. I see him every year now and except for a ocassional infection that is the only time.Our good health is our best investment.The best exercise for weight loss is a "push away". It is done at the table when you have eaten as much as you need but before you eat as much as you want.

 

[Jeff S]

aging and getting old

I am a true believer in the fact that if you want to get old you will. Enjoy life sail and stay active is the only way to age gracefully. I have been sailing for about 20 to 25 years now. I still am an avid skiier and I have arthritis.I enjoy hiking ,sailing , kayaking and most outdoor activities. I can putz in the garden with some arthritic pain. I too work with my hands for a living and do not put in 10 or 12 hour days any more, if I did I would not have time to sail or kayak. I do most of my sailing single handed, mostly local but will sail for 4 to 6 hours if the wind and time permit.Someone mentioned padded gloves I will definitely look into a pair soon. I always dink to the boat and sail off the mooring and usually sail up to it, sometimes gracefuly sometimes not. The main thing is that I do these things and I feel good doing them. I am 53 years old and feel some pain , but last w/end I went hiking with one of my sons and his boy scout troop, I believe about 12 or 13 miles round trip, a little too much but I do not do this every day. I hope to continue my active lifestyle for some many years to come. My 1 son jokes with me about skiing when he owns a condo on the slopes and with his children as well. He is 14 years old now , moderation is the key. Stay active ,Stay young and Feel good!

 

[Ross]

Jeff, look to framing carpenters gloves

I am told that they are excellant and a better buy than sailing gloves.

 

[Capn Dave]

My friend Harry Heckel

who turned 90 this past spring, has completed 2 solo circumnavagations, the first at 89 years young. Read my article in this months Lats and Atts. Harry was not looking for any recognition, he just likes sailing. I don't know squat about the Scloum Society, Harry's voyages are documented. Harry is short of stature almost elfish. I am of the beliefe if you think you can do then go for it.Fair WindsCap'n Dave

 

[Ross]

Capn Dave, Please give us a link

I find it truly amazing that anyone could complete back to back circumnavigations in eighteen months. I surely hope that this is well documented because it is a phenomenal record.

 

[sailortonyb]

Ross.....

Did he say 2 circumnavigations? or 2 circumcisions? Either case it would be a record.

 

[Ross]

Tonyb., Kinda hard to say. I think I

got Herbed yesterday for speaking my mind too plainly. So I shall be more circumspect in the future. At this point I want to believe that some folk in their hast to post a reply fail to compose their writing carefully.

 

[Capn Dave]

Here ya go Ross

If you can't by a magazine for yourself and do not know how to usw Google or some other search engine. I will throw you a bone, from my gracious heart.http://messingaboutinboats.typepad.com/sailing/2006/09/june_10_2005.htmlLattitude 38 is another magazine that has written alot about Harry.His second trip took 10 years. I did not notice 18 months anywhere in my post. The mouse on my laptop jumped to the wrong line of text it should of read the first one was completed 10 years prior. The Slocum Society only post records for their members. Fair WindsCap'n Dave

 

[Ross]

Alright Capn Dave. Thanks for the bone!

I had already chewed that one. Quote:My friend Harry Heckel who turned 90 this past spring, has completed 2 solo circumnavagations, the first at 89 years young. Read my article in this months Lats and Atts. Harry was not looking for any recognition, he just likes sailing.I don't know squat about the Scloum Society, Harry's voyages are documented. Harry is short of stature almost elfish. I am of the beliefe if you think you can do then go for it.Fair WindsCap'n Dave That is a cut and paste of your post. Now the mouse on your laptop jumped and you didn't proof your post. Ok. If Harry completed his first at 89 and turned 90 this spring and this is the fall following this past spring Then not more than 18 months have passed since Harry completed his first at age 89You said that you know nothing of the Slocum society, yet you apparently know that they only post records for their members. I think that I would enjoy the company Of Harry. I don't believe that I would find that I have anything in common with you.Ross

 

[Capn Dave]

Ahoy Ross

I apologise for sounding like an ass. The thing is I am an alot of different foruns and much of the information is to say the least bogus. It seems that most people get lazy and don't want to take the time to check out anything that is stated. That being said, Harry is not that far away from you, if you would like to see him. He is in the Leeward Marina, in Newport News. I did after my first post go the the Slocum website to check it out. I follow my own advice sbout checking things out. (Then again I have lots of time on my hands as I am a full time cruiser currently working at am marina) At the Slocum site is where I discovered that you must be a member to go on record. I would assume (you and I both know what that means) it would have to be ones intent to circumnavigate. Harrys trips were unintentional. He and his wife were heading out and she ended up with breast cancer from which she passed on. Harry then took off on his first trip and kept on going. He ended going around the world. At that time someone entered his name for the Guiness book of world records. They declined the entry because they thought it was to much of a dangerous thing to accomplish. Harry then decided to take the trip again only this time going the other way. This trip took alot longer because Harry decided to spend some time in the places he stopped. This trip took 10 years.That is his story in a nutshell. He could keep you up for hours with his exploits. We do have one thing in common Ross we both sail.Fair WindsCap'n Dave

 

[jeff s]

carpenters gloves

THANKS ROSS, I APPRECIATE YOUR RETURN RESPONSE ON THAT GLOVE ISSUE. DO YOU THINK A HOME CENTER OR LUMBER YARD WOULD HANDLE THEM.