I have come to the conclusion

Aug 28, 2006
578
Bavaria 35E seattle
This may not have been an age issue but rather one of faulty planning. The article states that the location of the emergency tiller did not allow for visual access to the compass. That vessel looked to be of a formidable size. I'm sure there were some tools on board. I would have taken apart the compass mounting and moved the compass near to the tiller rather than ultimately abandoning the boat. But I wasn't there and have to assume there has to be more to this tale. At the very least, he's alive for another Valentine's Day!
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,251
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I hope the time to Chuck it In is based on ability not a number.

I just experienced age discrimination aboard a Cruise ship. The Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has decided in contract with their shore excursion companies (who affirm to get you back to the ship before it leaves, a key reason for booking with them) that based on your age you can not snorkel, ride the zip lines, horseback ride, paddle a kayak or paddle board, ride an ATV, use a jet ski etc. of course they do not tell you about these limitations until after your booked.

You learn this nasty secret in a text message. “Your excursion is not reserved. Some one in your group is not qualified “

In other words, sit in a deck chair and drink. That’s all your good for now.

Sorry kids no snorkeling for you your Grandparents are too old.

What a load of BS.

I say. Sail as long as you can. You’ll live a longer and enjoy a more fulfilling life experience.
 
Aug 28, 2006
578
Bavaria 35E seattle
I hope the time to Chuck it In is based on ability not a number.

I just experienced age discrimination aboard a Cruise ship. The Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has decided in contract with their shore excursion companies (who affirm to get you back to the ship before it leaves, a key reason for booking with them) that based on your age you can not snorkel, ride the zip lines, horseback ride, paddle a kayak or paddle board, ride an ATV, use a jet ski etc. of course they do not tell you about these limitations until after your booked.

You learn this nasty secret in a text message. “Your excursion is not reserved. Some one in your group is not qualified “

In other words, sit in a deck chair and drink. That’s all your good for now.

Sorry kids no snorkeling for you your Grandparents are too old.

What a load of BS.

I say. Sail as long as you can. You’ll live a longer and enjoy a more fulfilling life experience.
Do you recall the age cut-off for any of these activities? It doesn't seem so very long ago that I was limited by my height to the fun rides, now they're gonna restrict me to the fun stuff b/c I was born last century!
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,251
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I do. I’ll send you a list. I understand you concern. I’ll PM the images from their app.
 
Apr 5, 2009
3,135
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
I have known many sailors who were never old (read mature) enough to solo sail. I also know one individual who completed his 6th solo circumnavigation at the age of 78 on a Moore 24 a boat that most would say is a great lake sailor but a doubtful coastal cruiser and should certainly never see the ocean. It is not the body of water or the machine that has limits. It is the individual in command.
 
Last edited:
Apr 11, 2020
795
MacGregor 26s Scott's Landing, Grapevine TX
The sad fact is, advanced age brings with it undeniable and inevitable limitations. Failing to recognize these limitations can lead to personal injury and premature death. Would it be possible for a 100-year-old person to safely sail solo? Yes, but that possibility diminishes with age until one takes that final voyage.
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,251
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Should it be enforced in some way?
Sure. I think the movie writers for “Logan’s Run” had an effect method.

Then there was the story “In Time”
Thanks to scientific advances people can stop aging at 25, but it comes with a catch: after reaching 25 a person is genetically-engineered to live only one more year.

That might be more effective for sailors who choose to go solo sailing.
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,590
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Please note my comment was for solo sailing.
Still not seeing any connection to age. He could not steer the boat and see the compass at the same time. If this had happened to a 30 year old... we would probably be chiding him for lack of preparations or some such..

Age certainly does limit you but at some point, those simple foibles that we all make are suddenly blamed on age... and now you are disabled and diminished.
 
May 29, 2018
599
Canel 25 foot Shiogama, japan
When we put to sea, we naively imagine that we are masters of our vessel, the ocean and our futures.
Forgetting that if or when we get into real trouble we rely on someone else to assist. In the article I posted it was the USCG and commercial ship.
At a younger age we are physically more capable of repairing (crawling in behind the gearbox to deal with a sterntube, going aloft to disentangle a sail or line, diving over the side to repair a rudder, hand hauling or setting an anchor because the electric winch won't work, etc) our vessel.
We react faster to problems ( changing weather, getting out of some idiot's way in a marina anchorage ).
In the case above the skipper was 80 years old.
That might not be a major factor in his distress.
But with a little thought I have come to the conclusion that it could well have been the case.
This is what we know for sure.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a distress call from the sailing yacht Tao. The sole individual aboard was the 80-year-old skipper. The yacht had lost steering, and he could not access the emergency tiller and see the compass at the same time.

Does no one else see a connection or relationship between these incidents aboard his vessel? Or is it pure coincidence that he was 80 years old and these problems cropped up?
I am 70. At 80 I will not sail alone. Luckily, I have three daughters who are great company and like to sail, so I won't be hanging up my hat. And I won't be putting someone else in the situation that they have to take risks to come to my aid.

gary
 
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Jan 1, 2006
7,615
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
He lost steering - that is a situation. It reads like he was able to use the emergency tiller but couldn't see the compass. He should have be able to steer the approximate course he was on prior to the steering loss just by wind angle. But I know it's not that easy. One night returning from BI I was unable to find my glasses. I was unable to steer a steady course in the following sea that was throwing the transom around. I wasn't elderly but vision impairment made me useless at the helm. Thankfully I had crew.