Older sailers

MFD · Dec 30, 2022

I am only in my fifties but have a couple of neighbors in their 70s that still go out quite often. All local here in the Seattle area, mostly day sails but some overnighters and such. One with 37-footer, solo on calm days but usually wants some crew if it's windy (18kn+). He has definitely slowed down a touch over the last five years or so but just paces himself a little more, and some little tricks to help get around on the boat like you mentioned.

Another neighbor is 73 now. He finally found the time to go sit for his USCG 100-ton license last winter and was taking guests out for 3-hour excursions pretty much 2-3 times a day 7 days a week all last summer! Neither of them are particularly athletic or does much other some basics for exercise.

The first guy above, he replaced his diesel a few years ago. In all honesty, after not having been out on the boat at all for about a year and a half, he had kind of lost his nerve to a certain degree as well. A little motivation with an extra hand going with him here and there and just getting the boat off the dock regularly again and he got back in the groove. I know for myself even that I am nervous just leaving the dock after I haven't done it for a couple of months.

So I would say - make an effort to use the boat more often than shying away from it. Even if it's just a silly quiet day and barely worth getting the sails up. Just to keep your confidence and also help keep figuring the strategies and little tricks to use mitigate the slowing down and balance/flexibility things.

But yeah, emergencies can be more of a deal. Meanwhile with modern communications systems, weather predictions, etc. overall things are so much safer. Especially for coastal cruising. It's totally okay to use the cel to see if dockside neighbors are around (we have lots of liveaboards on our dock) to help tie up if it's windy coming back in. People are always glad to help, and none of us are getting any younger year by year and we will be where you are one day too.

Meanwhile, say dealing with a broken rudder offshore, that its a different kind of deal. I noticed this article a couple days ago. Dude is 95, apparently offshore, solo, and had a rudder failure. Haven't heard the back story yet but I could think of worse things to be doing when I am 95! My hero!

. And it looks like it should be pretty straightforward to refloat the boat? Large sailboat washes ashore on the Outer Banks with 95-year-old mariner inside. I would presume he had the boat setup with a bunch of little tricks and conveniences, and being conservative with how much sail is up, etc?

Calif. Ted · Dec 30, 2022

Yeah, I'm just a couple years behind you, year-round season here but my temperature tolerance is getting higher every winter.
I pay to have the boat washed every 2 weeks and waxed as needed, time and energy much better spent sailing.

Paul Mermelstein · Dec 30, 2022

I am going to be 72 this summer and my wife is 73. We still sail the Chesapeake Bay, sometimes just the two of us and sometimes with other boaters we know. More often than not, our outings are overnight. Sometimes we raft up with friends and sometimes we're in a marina.

Going with a group is not only more fun, but also gives some comfort that friends are around for help if needed. All of us are in our 70s and most are over 75. All that said, you want to be safe and comfortable emotionally in order to enjoy yourself. We find that we don't go out if the weather forecast looks bad (we get a lot of summer thunderstorms and some can be severe). We are not as much a risk taker as before.

I recommend that you have someone with you on the boat, at least to start the season and restore some confidence. Might help.

RoyS · Dec 31, 2022

My wife and I are both 74 and in good health. We take one two week long cruise each year and numerous weekend and overnight trips. We stay in port if the weather is iffy. These days I am thankful our boat is only 33 feet long. In years past I wished for a larger boat, but no longer. I doubt we could dock a bigger boat, especially one with a high freeboard. Hardest part these days is going on deck to reef but that is infrequent as we carefully choose our sailing days. Still got a few more years I think.

dlochner · Dec 31, 2022

Last April I turned 70 while anchored at Grand Cay in the Abacos. This June we will leave Lake Ontario again, this time headed north to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia with perhaps a stop in France at St Pierre and Miquleon, before heading south. I hope to turn 72 while anchored in the Exumas. After that, who knows.

Over the past few years we have been adding equipment that makes sailing easier. Raising the main was getting to be harder than I wanted so a Tides Track was installed along with a stack pack for sail containment. An eWincher electric winch handle makes raising the main a snap and enables us to easily lift the dinghy on deck for off shore passages. The eWincher also works with the motor lift, hoisting the 60# Honda is also easy. The autopilot is used a lot, especially on longer passages with a remote control fob in my pocket I can stay out of the weather behind the dodger and still steer the boat. Partial side curtains were also added to protect the cockpit. Reducing weather exposure, especially in cold weather helps to reduce fatigue. We are also installing heat, dealing with cold weather really saps energy.

Body maintenance is also important. Getting to the gym a couple of times a week and trying to keep the weight down helps. Even at this ripe old age (WTF? How'd I get this old?

) the body can adapt. After living on the boat for 11 months I was much more agile than when I began and now with 6 months off the boat, some of that agility is waning. I need to go sailing again.

We'll sail for as long as we're able, which should be a few more years. Once we decide that long cruises are a thing of the past, we will consider selling this boat and buying a somewhat smaller boat to make life easier.

And then there is my friend Tom, he turned 82 last summer and is out sailing almost every day.

thinwater · Dec 31, 2022

Higgs: You sounds like a smart guy. You have not "lost your nerve." Dares are for adolescents and since you have been sailing for 50 years, you have nothing to prove to anyone, including yourself. You enjoy sailing and will continue as much as is fun, and you understand that some things must be left behind.

I find that "emergencies" have become far more rare as I grow older, and I better understand how to deal with them calmly and without needing strength or speed. But I'm not yet in my 70s, and health and flexibility are individual. As a rule, they seem to stay better if you keep moving and keep doing things you like. Isn't that living?

I have mused that I might find smaller, more sheltered waters to sail at some point. Waves can be a lot like work when you are tired. I can imagine moving my boat to one of the large creeks (many of these are as large as small lakes) on the Chesapeake and sailing that more than the main course. Whatever is fun.

FastOlson · Dec 31, 2022

Age is only a number, albeit an important one. Your condition, physical and mental, is more important. That said, I wish I had the will power to lose 25# !!
Late 70's, and thanks for asking.

kloudie1 · Dec 31, 2022

Turning 75 in 2 days.. Just about fully recovered from a knee replacement..I usually go out for a sail on my birthday but this year I will miss it.. weather is forecast to be rainy/foggy.. I look forward to spring sailing here in coastal Louisiana..

stickinthemud57 · Dec 31, 2022

My timing was poor. I just got back into sailing in 2022, and just turned 65. I am trying to make up for lost time by sailing and racing every chance I get. I have had some health issues this year, but am over that and back to my old self, but getting older.

I know there will come a time when I have to pull back. The first step in that process will be going to roller furling for the jib. I guess the next step will be no more single-handing. Eventually it won't make sense to pay slip and insurance fees, at which point I might look into joining one of the boat sharing groups at our lake.

It's hard to think about leaving behind something I am enjoying so much, but it's inevitable. In the meantime I plan to enjoy it as long as I can.

Claude L.-Auger · Dec 31, 2022

Underwent heart surgery in 2018 at age 74, yet still singlehanded my 34 down the St-Lawrence River around the Gaspé Peninsula and all around Chaleurs Bay in summer of 2019 ! A 64-day 1800 nm trip ! Now 78 and still going strong, planning another long cruise this summer. I have no problem with the navigation and handling of the boat, but I admit that I do get lonesome at dinner time not having anyone but myself to talk about the day's events or the beautiful things seen. While I have autopilot with remote fob, anchor windlass, and everything led to the cockpit, like RoyS , I am now thankful that I don't have a larger boat. And obviously not being as agile as I used to be, the old saying ''One hand for the boat, one hand for yourself'' is now always followed dutifully. For those who ask, I don't singlehand because I like the solitude. I do it because it's next to impossible to find someone who still wants to take these long cruises. I gladly welcome crew when someone offers to spend some time aboard.
Whether I am dreaming or not, I plan on keeping on sailing as long as I have the health to do it and can take care of my boat although like Higgs I have to admit that some jobs take twice as long as 15 years ago. But I do have time don't I ???
Happy New Year to You all. Fair winds !

john6206 · Dec 31, 2022

I’m so thankful for this thread, and so impressed with you guys.

A few years ago, at age 55, I went out for lunch with a cross section of my siblings ( I’m the youngest of 11). I was pretty shocked and saddened by how many of my sibs, between 60 and 70 years old, couldn’t walk up a short staircase, or had trouble walking more than a block or so. At the same time I know guys in their 70s still doing yard work and sailing and playing golf and basketball and tennis and riding their bikes.

It became clear to me that in 15 years I was going to be one or the other, and I started exercising. My mobility has improved a bit. Every little bit helps. I’m just hoping to get a little extra out of whatever genetics gave me.

thinwater · Dec 31, 2022

Don't give up on singlehanding. Instead, break it down to where you are never doing 2 things and once, and with practice, there are very few surprises. It is far more mental than physical, or racers could never get 60-foot boats around the world. The older I get, the easier singlehanding gets. Crew is nice, but I like the freedom to go whenever I want.

Think through every task. Tacking, docking, anchoring. With the right sequence, you never actually have to do two things at the same time, you just need to do them properly and in the correct order. If there is a rush, find a better way.

cymeyer · Dec 31, 2022

higgs said:
I am wondering how many senior citizens are still sailing. I am going to turn 74 this summer and still going to launch the boat for another season. I still do all the maintenance on it, but it takes probably twice the time to get it done as it did when I was in my 60s. I hope to do some cruising on Lake Ontario, but confess to being a little timid about when I am willing to go out. I also worry about being able to deal with emergencies, though I was able to bring the boat in after an exhaust elbow failure last summer. I am no longer very flexible and have trouble getting up on the cabin top so I have placed lines at certain spots to help me pull myself up. Just had a hip replacement and my mobility is much better now.

I have chartered a boat in the North Channel next July with some other golden agers and I confess to a little concern about our physical abilities.

Sailing has been such an important part of my life for last 50 years or so and I know to give it up would leave a big hole in my life.

you will love the North Channel. we are in our late 60's and went up there last year for the first time. Mackinac Island next year!

Joe · Dec 31, 2022

This thread really touches me, as it has so many others that hang out here. Maybe it's the New Year's reflection syndrome, but I'll be interested to see how others are dealing with the changes.

jssailem · Dec 31, 2022

Age is a number. Mine is currently 72. My head says I am younger than the number. My body mostly agrees. Making sensible choices about boat, equipment, and cruise planning all contribute to you being able to accomplish the sailing you want to do.

My wife and Family have scheduled a Caribbean big ship cruise for January. 7 days of someone else steering. Great disappointment when we started to look at the excursions. All of the fun ones had age 60 or less requirements. It was not about capability but a number. Blatant "Age Discrimination". Pissed me off. We have been working around these Cruise Line arbitrary limits. Next time it will be a charter for me, and we will have to do our own cooking.

Still planning the adventures in BC for this year. The replacement of engine/transmission and bottom paint is awaiting a favorable weather window. Fuel systems have been improved. Will be doing a couple of spring excursions to test systems for the longer more remote adventure.

With age comes decisions to use helpers when dealing with physical repair or preparation tasks. While I can still wield a paint brush, holding a grinder above my head to prep the bottom for new years paint is being farmed out to a young man.

Prepping the boat for cruising and making the maintenance less complicated improves the performance and allows you to sail for more years.

WayneH · Dec 31, 2022

<- Young Punk, evidently. Just turned 67 a couple of weeks ago. If/when I get this damn cast off, 2023 goal is Pensacola to the Keys and Dry Tortugas. 2024 goal is the Bahamas.

Our next boat will be on the darkside but that's in the distant future when I can't crank a winch.

Don S/V ILLusion · Dec 31, 2022

kloudie1 said:
Turning 75 in 2 days.. Just about fully recovered from a knee replacement..I usually go out for a sail on my birthday but this year I will miss it.. weather is forecast to be rainy/foggy.. I look forward to spring sailing here in coastal Louisiana..

Happy birthday! I’m not far behind you.

have been trawler shopping for a while but I’m too young to pass the entry requirements.

David in Sandusky · Dec 31, 2022

The Admiral and I are 77, and still planning over 20 nights aboard Lady Lillie this summer. About 5 years ago, we decided to back off long cruises, with multiple 8+ hour legs, but favorite destinations around Lake Erie may tempt us out again. So we concentrate our time in the Lake Erie Islands between Sandusky and Leamington and continue our annual week long charters in distant archipelagos.

We have 2-3 strength sessions a week, and 2 to 5 cardio trips on our bikes. We have had more health issues, but none yet that have curtailed our sailing. We both notice some reduction in agility and balance going forward, but taking a little more care makes for easy compensation. A 27 foot boat makes docking, sail handling, anchoring, and mooring easier than with the 35-39 footers we charter. Early in our cruising life, we began talking through contingency plans in answer to the Admiral’s concerns, or situations that arise. It turns out that this version of keeping the Admiral happy is also good seamanship. Calm, detailed reviews of occasional mistakes, prevent recurrence. For instance, inability to pick up a mooring in a 25 knot wind resulted in acquisition of a nifty mooring hook that makes the Admiral’s job in the bow much easier.

We do discuss plans for when we don’t have the agility to continue cruising as we have for the past 23 summers. Chartering with a hired captain, or with family can keep us going for a while - time will tell.

Fair winds and following seas!

shemandr · Dec 31, 2022

"...some reduction in agility and balance..." Hoo boy. I'm ten years younger and that would be an understatement for me. I sail on the Flying Scot and would crew or skipper a larger boat if the opportunity came up but I would have to exert an extra measure of caution. Moving from dock to boat is the most vulnerable time. I need a hand hold. Once aboard I'm pretty good because moving around on a sail boat is all about hand holds and always has been.
I don't bend too good either.

Older sailers

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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