I know I can't be alone in this concern. As the last of the snow melts away and I begin thinking about getting the boat ready for the water I find for the first time I'm a bit apprehensive (or is it scared?). I'll turn 60 this summer and the body just isn't what it use to be. It certainly isn't the age that worries me but after years of abuse thru sports and work the body just doesn't respond the same. I was a runner into my 30s until my knees gave out, I installed athletic equipment and set-up major sporting events until my back gave out. Now I sell athletic equipment from behind a desk. Over the past few years I've had difficulty doing everyday tasks. I have trouble getting in and out of cars. I certainly can't lift like I use to. I can't put my right arm above my shoulder. Are the violins playing yet? Now I'm honestly concerned about getting on and off the boat. It's hard from the dock but getting aboard while it's on the trailer with a ladder may be almost impossible. Moving around the deck of my 22 can be risky. So here's the question. Has anyone found ways of adapting the boat or the way you do things to make sailing (especially solo) as safe and enjoyable as always? I'm sure there's plenty of info on handicap sailing but I'm not quite there yet and I'm certainly not ready to hang up my winch handle! Thanks for any advice you can give me and please don't tell me to consider buying a pontoon boat like my non-sailing buddies.
Physically Challenged
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Sounds like ME 
I have a rebuilt left sholder (closed reduction) as well as some lower back problems My job is much more active which keeps me going as it requires me to climb in and out of machinery And while i can no longer run i can still walk and try to get in at least 15 miles a week at my own pace The walking alone makes a HUGE difference in your fitness Good Luck Tommays
I have a rebuilt left sholder (closed reduction) as well as some lower back problems My job is much more active which keeps me going as it requires me to climb in and out of machinery And while i can no longer run i can still walk and try to get in at least 15 miles a week at my own pace The walking alone makes a HUGE difference in your fitness Good Luck Tommays
Maybe I Can Help ......
Hey Partner ........ Maybe I can help ya. I'm disabled (walk with forearm crutches). I've been sailing, single handed, for over 25 yrs. If you want to E Mail me direct, at rfb2596@sbcglobal.net , maybe we can put our heads together and come up with ways to help you out. I presently have an O'Day 23 so we're in the same ball park in boat size. As far as boarding ...... I sit down on the edge of the boat (after taking down the safety lines) and swing my ass over into the boat. That way, you can steady yourself while getting in. Getting back out is a bit trickier ........ I just slide off onto the dock and get up from there. Not necessarily real gracefull, but who cares ....... I'm there ! Now the spring cleanup from a ladder is not quite the breeze ! I just tough it out with sore legs every night for a week or two. But I'm like you, at age 52 I feel the body going to hell, but I'm not ready for the recliner just yet ......... and GOD NO !!!!!! Not a pontoon boat !!!!! Eeeeek ! Thats not even boating ! Hey, contact me, if you wish. Bob Burns=Rascal May You Have Smooth Sailing on Warm Breezes !
Hey Partner ........ Maybe I can help ya. I'm disabled (walk with forearm crutches). I've been sailing, single handed, for over 25 yrs. If you want to E Mail me direct, at rfb2596@sbcglobal.net , maybe we can put our heads together and come up with ways to help you out. I presently have an O'Day 23 so we're in the same ball park in boat size. As far as boarding ...... I sit down on the edge of the boat (after taking down the safety lines) and swing my ass over into the boat. That way, you can steady yourself while getting in. Getting back out is a bit trickier ........ I just slide off onto the dock and get up from there. Not necessarily real gracefull, but who cares ....... I'm there ! Now the spring cleanup from a ladder is not quite the breeze ! I just tough it out with sore legs every night for a week or two. But I'm like you, at age 52 I feel the body going to hell, but I'm not ready for the recliner just yet ......... and GOD NO !!!!!! Not a pontoon boat !!!!! Eeeeek ! Thats not even boating ! Hey, contact me, if you wish. Bob Burns=Rascal May You Have Smooth Sailing on Warm Breezes !
What has your physical therapist told you about regaining
your mobility? You seem to be accepting the wear and tear as not reversable. We have a friend at church that distroyed his shoulder in a biking accident and has had it rebuilt with metal. He is going to PT twice a week and can comb his hair and brush his teeth after two months. Talk to the medicine man and find out what can be done . You are much to young to throw in the towel. I am 69 years and can still do all that I could do when I was 40 but I do much of it much more slowly now. I haven't run up stairs two at a time for quite a while. Edited for spelling.
your mobility? You seem to be accepting the wear and tear as not reversable. We have a friend at church that distroyed his shoulder in a biking accident and has had it rebuilt with metal. He is going to PT twice a week and can comb his hair and brush his teeth after two months. Talk to the medicine man and find out what can be done . You are much to young to throw in the towel. I am 69 years and can still do all that I could do when I was 40 but I do much of it much more slowly now. I haven't run up stairs two at a time for quite a while. Edited for spelling.
Ease of sailing...
At the least, I would think a roller furler for your jib, and leading all lines to the cockpit would eliminate most of your need to go on deck, particularly while sailing. I'm 63 and not as sure-footed as I used to be, either, so I try not to wander about the deck much while underway. Getting from dock to boat and back? I don't know. A lot depends on the relative heights of the dock and gunwhale. If they are near level, you may work on a sliding technique as someone else mentioned. If the dock is high, you might consider one of the boarding ladders made to hook over the boat gunwhale if the dock is made so that the ladder has an edge to catch on. If you can hook it on the dock and rest the bottom on a seat or against the edge of a seat, then it might help. Just an idea. On the trailer, a stepladder may be easier to climb than a vertical boarding ladder. An aluminum ladder doesn't weigh much. Either way, don't give up. Try what you can to make things easier, and check with the doc about exercises to loosen you up some. Good Luck! -Paul
At the least, I would think a roller furler for your jib, and leading all lines to the cockpit would eliminate most of your need to go on deck, particularly while sailing. I'm 63 and not as sure-footed as I used to be, either, so I try not to wander about the deck much while underway. Getting from dock to boat and back? I don't know. A lot depends on the relative heights of the dock and gunwhale. If they are near level, you may work on a sliding technique as someone else mentioned. If the dock is high, you might consider one of the boarding ladders made to hook over the boat gunwhale if the dock is made so that the ladder has an edge to catch on. If you can hook it on the dock and rest the bottom on a seat or against the edge of a seat, then it might help. Just an idea. On the trailer, a stepladder may be easier to climb than a vertical boarding ladder. An aluminum ladder doesn't weigh much. Either way, don't give up. Try what you can to make things easier, and check with the doc about exercises to loosen you up some. Good Luck!
-Paul
Two things, DC.
One is I agree with Ross about seeing what the medical profession can do for you. I am 66 and have no problem problem working on and single-handing my 37-foot cutter. Until he was diagnosed with cancer last fall my 85-year old sailing buddy was still bouncing around on his Highlander. So it is not the age but also maybe not repairable. Worth a try though. Two is that I know on Buckeye just like on Atwood(where I sail my own Highlander), there are lots of guys that would help you. Heck, I spend lots of hours working on other peoples boats just for the fun of it. Don't be afraid to ask. You have had a lot of good suggestions here for improving the boat. But if you are talking about a Catalina 22(just sold mine) then I understand. My H37C is easier to sail.
One is I agree with Ross about seeing what the medical profession can do for you. I am 66 and have no problem problem working on and single-handing my 37-foot cutter. Until he was diagnosed with cancer last fall my 85-year old sailing buddy was still bouncing around on his Highlander. So it is not the age but also maybe not repairable. Worth a try though. Two is that I know on Buckeye just like on Atwood(where I sail my own Highlander), there are lots of guys that would help you. Heck, I spend lots of hours working on other peoples boats just for the fun of it. Don't be afraid to ask. You have had a lot of good suggestions here for improving the boat. But if you are talking about a Catalina 22(just sold mine) then I understand. My H37C is easier to sail.
thanks
I can't tell you how much this is helping me. I know I need to see a PT and I did before when I first had my "frozen shoulder" several years ago. I thought it was completely healed but it came back with a vengence about a month ago. I need to walk more too but its been one rotten winter up north (I'm full of excuses). If anything will motivate me it'll be sailing and feeling the joy and determination all of you have for being on the water. Thanks again.
I can't tell you how much this is helping me. I know I need to see a PT and I did before when I first had my "frozen shoulder" several years ago. I thought it was completely healed but it came back with a vengence about a month ago. I need to walk more too but its been one rotten winter up north (I'm full of excuses). If anything will motivate me it'll be sailing and feeling the joy and determination all of you have for being on the water. Thanks again.
I'll be 65 in June and age is having an impact on...
my mobility. But, to remain physically able to handle our boat I continue to push my body even when it hurts. I started running in 1976 and continue to log my 30 miles a week just to stay fit. A few years ago I thought my knees were going to force me to quit because of the pain, but by adding quadricep exercises to my training program the pain went away and has not returned. My doctor wanted to give me pain pills, but I HATE taking pills, so he suggested to try the exercises. Same goes for my upper body. My career as a desk jockey resulted in shoulder and arm pain whenever I would stress the muscles. So, I added upper body work to my training regimen and the pain went away. That was 25 years ago. My point is, at least in my case, pain results from lack of exercise. I can choose to take pills to deal with the pain, or worse go under the knife, but for now exercise seems to be working. Weight also plays a huge factor in quality of life and running helps me to keep it off. I decided long ago, after seeing my fellow workers die or have heart attacks before their 40th birthday, to do something about my life style and it has paid huge dividends, at least so far. I did it for the sake of my family. Terry
my mobility. But, to remain physically able to handle our boat I continue to push my body even when it hurts. I started running in 1976 and continue to log my 30 miles a week just to stay fit. A few years ago I thought my knees were going to force me to quit because of the pain, but by adding quadricep exercises to my training program the pain went away and has not returned. My doctor wanted to give me pain pills, but I HATE taking pills, so he suggested to try the exercises. Same goes for my upper body. My career as a desk jockey resulted in shoulder and arm pain whenever I would stress the muscles. So, I added upper body work to my training regimen and the pain went away. That was 25 years ago. My point is, at least in my case, pain results from lack of exercise. I can choose to take pills to deal with the pain, or worse go under the knife, but for now exercise seems to be working. Weight also plays a huge factor in quality of life and running helps me to keep it off. I decided long ago, after seeing my fellow workers die or have heart attacks before their 40th birthday, to do something about my life style and it has paid huge dividends, at least so far. I did it for the sake of my family. Terry
One of the best exercises is to go sailing
Terry nailed it, and good for him. How each of us chooses to do our exercise is up to him (or her), but I find that after some time on the boat I feel much better. Also, for safety, it's important to rig the boat so that you don't have major physical challenges, which is, I think, what safety is all about. My wife complains that I don't get any exercise on the boat because it's rigged so that a minimum amount of "work" is required. I see that as increased safety, so that I can enjoy time onboard. Much of the hardest physical work I get is doing repairs - there are many places that you can get your head into, and I'm finding that many of them preclude getting out as easily as I got in!
Terry nailed it, and good for him. How each of us chooses to do our exercise is up to him (or her), but I find that after some time on the boat I feel much better. Also, for safety, it's important to rig the boat so that you don't have major physical challenges, which is, I think, what safety is all about. My wife complains that I don't get any exercise on the boat because it's rigged so that a minimum amount of "work" is required. I see that as increased safety, so that I can enjoy time onboard. Much of the hardest physical work I get is doing repairs - there are many places that you can get your head into, and I'm finding that many of them preclude getting out as easily as I got in!
Getting older is not for Wimps!
Remember the progression: Sailboat, Power Boat, Motor Home, Old Folks Home and Funeral Home. Hang on to the Sailboat as long as you can. I don't do it as much, but at 71, I can still single hand my 37. A bigger boat is a little slower to respond though the loads are higher. All my halyards and sheets are controlled from the cockpit. I have roller furling on the genoa, Dutchman furling and full battens on the main, and I leave my dock lines on, with the bow and stern lines tied together so I can control both the bow and stern with the one bridle. My main comes down relatively easy but if yours doesn't you can rig a main down haul or dousing line to the cockpit and always douse into the wind. I don't mess with a trailer since I leave the boat in the water so you will have to solve that without any advice from me. I have had prostate cancer and 4 knee surgeries, have diabetes and arthritis in my hands, knees and ankles, have a paralyzed diaphragm in one lung and get out of breath easy, and I take about 10 pills and two shots every day; but thats just the price of aging. In my mind I'm still 25. None the less you may be much worse off than me. So: If you have to go on deck and you are alone, don't walk on it, but scoot or crawl if you have to . Trail a ladder in the water (at least one step longer than your freeboard) , so you can get back up if you go over the side, and use a harness, a tether and manropes (jacklines) when you have to go forward. You can also try to be a big brother or a mentor. There are lots of kids of single mom's who would give almost anything to help you with the boat and sail with you. You don't have to sail alone and at the least you could run an add, post a notice, or make some calls. You're not too old to have a lot to offer. Good Luck. Joe
Remember the progression: Sailboat, Power Boat, Motor Home, Old Folks Home and Funeral Home. Hang on to the Sailboat as long as you can. I don't do it as much, but at 71, I can still single hand my 37. A bigger boat is a little slower to respond though the loads are higher. All my halyards and sheets are controlled from the cockpit. I have roller furling on the genoa, Dutchman furling and full battens on the main, and I leave my dock lines on, with the bow and stern lines tied together so I can control both the bow and stern with the one bridle. My main comes down relatively easy but if yours doesn't you can rig a main down haul or dousing line to the cockpit and always douse into the wind. I don't mess with a trailer since I leave the boat in the water so you will have to solve that without any advice from me. I have had prostate cancer and 4 knee surgeries, have diabetes and arthritis in my hands, knees and ankles, have a paralyzed diaphragm in one lung and get out of breath easy, and I take about 10 pills and two shots every day; but thats just the price of aging. In my mind I'm still 25. None the less you may be much worse off than me. So: If you have to go on deck and you are alone, don't walk on it, but scoot or crawl if you have to . Trail a ladder in the water (at least one step longer than your freeboard) , so you can get back up if you go over the side, and use a harness, a tether and manropes (jacklines) when you have to go forward. You can also try to be a big brother or a mentor. There are lots of kids of single mom's who would give almost anything to help you with the boat and sail with you. You don't have to sail alone and at the least you could run an add, post a notice, or make some calls. You're not too old to have a lot to offer. Good Luck. Joe
Fighting the aging process
I,m 70 I Take care of my p26w myself. That includes all pre season re commissioning and repairs. I can still move around the deck in a breeze and reef when I have to. 3 years ago this april I was in a head on collision on rt 95. A person lost control of their car crossed the medium strip and hit me head on at 70 mph My right foot was just about ripped of. They took me out of the car with the jaws of life, moved me by helicopter to a trauma center sewed my foot back on. I consider myself lucky. The woman that hit me was taken to the morgue. after the cast came off I went to physical therapy and struggled for 2 mos to get moving again without crutches. I asked the therapist What about racquetball. He said are you kidding. I play 3 times a week now. Im not here to blow my horn. My advice is keep your weight down go to physical therapy, keep exercising. keep moving. sure beats sitting around watching the world go by Just hang in there dont quit
I,m 70 I Take care of my p26w myself. That includes all pre season re commissioning and repairs. I can still move around the deck in a breeze and reef when I have to. 3 years ago this april I was in a head on collision on rt 95. A person lost control of their car crossed the medium strip and hit me head on at 70 mph My right foot was just about ripped of. They took me out of the car with the jaws of life, moved me by helicopter to a trauma center sewed my foot back on. I consider myself lucky. The woman that hit me was taken to the morgue. after the cast came off I went to physical therapy and struggled for 2 mos to get moving again without crutches. I asked the therapist What about racquetball. He said are you kidding. I play 3 times a week now. Im not here to blow my horn. My advice is keep your weight down go to physical therapy, keep exercising. keep moving. sure beats sitting around watching the world go by Just hang in there dont quit
Me too....
This thread is of great interest to me. I had planned for the August of my life with a Hunter 380 with all lines coming back to the cockpit. A total inclosure to keep me warm and dry in the pacific northwest. An easy boat to get around and to sail--both main and jib are roller furled. But I'm now seventy five and I find not only is the body getting tired sooner but my mental thinking is slowing up. I look at doing things with some reluctance--I'm not sure why. I love to take the boat out but it now appears to be too big for me mentally. Not good. So my wife and I talked much and long about this phenomenon. She didn't want to sail as much any more as well. So we are selling our beloved Hunter 380 and buying a Hunter 27. I think I can handle this. Some thoughts--I'll back into the slip and be able to get on and off easier, all lines come to the cockpit so I will upgrade all winches to at least two speeds. All sails are roller furled like our present boat but we think the smaller sail size will be easier to handle. We plan to day sail and maybe an overnighter or two. With my chronic illnesses I need to stay closer to my pills and such. My physical movements are not poor but I am concerned about mental ability. I guess each of us has to attack this problem in our own individual way and analyze our strengths and weakness by ourselves. What is that poem? "Do not go easily into that dark night...." Cute line, DC--I'm not ready to hang up my winch handles yet either. I wish you all well, Les
This thread is of great interest to me. I had planned for the August of my life with a Hunter 380 with all lines coming back to the cockpit. A total inclosure to keep me warm and dry in the pacific northwest. An easy boat to get around and to sail--both main and jib are roller furled. But I'm now seventy five and I find not only is the body getting tired sooner but my mental thinking is slowing up. I look at doing things with some reluctance--I'm not sure why. I love to take the boat out but it now appears to be too big for me mentally. Not good. So my wife and I talked much and long about this phenomenon. She didn't want to sail as much any more as well. So we are selling our beloved Hunter 380 and buying a Hunter 27. I think I can handle this. Some thoughts--I'll back into the slip and be able to get on and off easier, all lines come to the cockpit so I will upgrade all winches to at least two speeds. All sails are roller furled like our present boat but we think the smaller sail size will be easier to handle. We plan to day sail and maybe an overnighter or two. With my chronic illnesses I need to stay closer to my pills and such. My physical movements are not poor but I am concerned about mental ability. I guess each of us has to attack this problem in our own individual way and analyze our strengths and weakness by ourselves. What is that poem? "Do not go easily into that dark night...." Cute line, DC--I'm not ready to hang up my winch handles yet either. I wish you all well, Les
This is a great thread...
with lots of good advice from a number of senior sailors (like me, too). All I would offer is that you to have, or get, a boat that you are comfortable on, and with, in all of the conditions where you sail. Unless your 22 footer is a heavy displacement PS or Cape Dory type boat, it is probably a boat that will bounce around a lot when the wind and waves come up. I would think that a full or modified full keel boat, in the 27-29 ft range that displaces between 7,000 - 10,000 lbs would be ideal. Not too big, not too small. And a very stable platform to work from in most conditions. Of course, rig the boat so all control lines come back to the cockpit. I'm not much of a supporter of furling mains, but certainly get a reliable, high quality, roller furling/reefing headsail. Maybe LazyJacks or a Dutchman for the main is adequate but you want to be able to reef it from the cockpit with some sort of single line slab reefing setup. Buy the best pair of performance foot wear and only use them on the boat. Buy and use a top quality auto inflating PFD with a harness built in. Get some friends to come along and practice the "hard stuff" about boat handling, backing, turning, and so forth by yourself with them watching and ready to give you a hand if you need it. Keep a sharp eye out on the weather and don't sail when it looks like it may go sour. I think that if you "sail smart" you'll be able to keep that winch handle in hand a pretty long time.... BTW, as I've aged I've begun to take the sage advice my wife has been giving me for a lot of years: "you don't have to do everything yourself." She advises me to throw money at a number of chores I used to do myself. She's a smart lady and I now follow much of her advice.
with lots of good advice from a number of senior sailors (like me, too). All I would offer is that you to have, or get, a boat that you are comfortable on, and with, in all of the conditions where you sail. Unless your 22 footer is a heavy displacement PS or Cape Dory type boat, it is probably a boat that will bounce around a lot when the wind and waves come up. I would think that a full or modified full keel boat, in the 27-29 ft range that displaces between 7,000 - 10,000 lbs would be ideal. Not too big, not too small. And a very stable platform to work from in most conditions. Of course, rig the boat so all control lines come back to the cockpit. I'm not much of a supporter of furling mains, but certainly get a reliable, high quality, roller furling/reefing headsail. Maybe LazyJacks or a Dutchman for the main is adequate but you want to be able to reef it from the cockpit with some sort of single line slab reefing setup. Buy the best pair of performance foot wear and only use them on the boat. Buy and use a top quality auto inflating PFD with a harness built in. Get some friends to come along and practice the "hard stuff" about boat handling, backing, turning, and so forth by yourself with them watching and ready to give you a hand if you need it. Keep a sharp eye out on the weather and don't sail when it looks like it may go sour. I think that if you "sail smart" you'll be able to keep that winch handle in hand a pretty long time.... BTW, as I've aged I've begun to take the sage advice my wife has been giving me for a lot of years: "you don't have to do everything yourself." She advises me to throw money at a number of chores I used to do myself. She's a smart lady and I now follow much of her advice.
Hi Stu, I kindly disagree with your wife about...
the old adage that you get little to no exercise on a boat. Even though I have all our control lines led to the cockpit I find I'm much more active on the boat than on land. If she thinks about it, just standing still on the boat yields an amazing amount physical movement and muscle resistance. Your body is constantly in motion to maintain balance with the boat's movement through the water whether sitting or standing. When I return from our two month cruises, I have actually lost weight from all the physical boat work even though most of it consists of elbow bending during skipper's night, which is every night. Terry
the old adage that you get little to no exercise on a boat. Even though I have all our control lines led to the cockpit I find I'm much more active on the boat than on land. If she thinks about it, just standing still on the boat yields an amazing amount physical movement and muscle resistance. Your body is constantly in motion to maintain balance with the boat's movement through the water whether sitting or standing. When I return from our two month cruises, I have actually lost weight from all the physical boat work even though most of it consists of elbow bending during skipper's night, which is every night. Terry
I have seen a variety of approaches to this problem of aging.
Some people take the tack that if it hurts you shouldn't do it. Others say if it hurts find out why. Running is good exercize, but so is walking . Digging bait can also serve to dig a small garden. Fishing is a lot like sitting but it gets you out side. Mowing a lawn is like walking but it is all up hill. I know people that have riding lawn mowers and gym membership. Stairs are better than elevators. Parking at the farthest edge of the shopping center is good. I am always amused to watch people drive around a parking lot three times to find a slot close to the door and when they get out of the car they are wearing exercize clothes and look like they just came from the gym. You don't have to do it all and if you want to you don't have to do it all in one day. I have many trees in my yard. I refuse to spend my time touching my toes for exercize but picking up sticks seems to be a lot like touching my toes and it gets the yard cleaned up.
Some people take the tack that if it hurts you shouldn't do it. Others say if it hurts find out why. Running is good exercize, but so is walking . Digging bait can also serve to dig a small garden. Fishing is a lot like sitting but it gets you out side. Mowing a lawn is like walking but it is all up hill. I know people that have riding lawn mowers and gym membership. Stairs are better than elevators. Parking at the farthest edge of the shopping center is good. I am always amused to watch people drive around a parking lot three times to find a slot close to the door and when they get out of the car they are wearing exercize clothes and look like they just came from the gym. You don't have to do it all and if you want to you don't have to do it all in one day. I have many trees in my yard. I refuse to spend my time touching my toes for exercize but picking up sticks seems to be a lot like touching my toes and it gets the yard cleaned up.
Terry, thanks, can I use that answer in public?
I agree wholeheartedly. I've gotten past just the sailing in the relatively flat Bay and have been doing ocean jaunts for years, further and further as time goes by. I love the swells and the need to be very careful out there, but the feeling is exhilarating. She does reply that the only exercise I get is in my elbow hoisting a Guiness... As far as reefing from the cockpit, I am a firm believer in our double line reefing system. Yes, it's more line, but the pressure needed at the clew is much more than at the tack. I've discussed this many times and even wrote an article in Mainsheet about it. It's superior, I think, to single line reefing, but recommend that anybody who goes to the mast to reef really doesn't have to do that. Single or double line reefing is much safer than a single clew line with a tack hook.
I agree wholeheartedly. I've gotten past just the sailing in the relatively flat Bay and have been doing ocean jaunts for years, further and further as time goes by. I love the swells and the need to be very careful out there, but the feeling is exhilarating. She does reply that the only exercise I get is in my elbow hoisting a Guiness...
As far as reefing from the cockpit, I am a firm believer in our double line reefing system. Yes, it's more line, but the pressure needed at the clew is much more than at the tack. I've discussed this many times and even wrote an article in Mainsheet about it. It's superior, I think, to single line reefing, but recommend that anybody who goes to the mast to reef really doesn't have to do that. Single or double line reefing is much safer than a single clew line with a tack hook.Another .02 worth
I didn't realize that this many on the board were as old as they are. Makes me feel young again. I will be 70 in June. Used to race motorcycles for many years, and was a flooring installer along the same time frame. So, I have had both legs broken, right one screwed together, bunch of ribs and an arm also. Knees in fair condition, but certainly not getting any better. Couple of years ago I fell of the mast, from the spreaders, and crushed three vertabrae. So I get up every morning stiff, and hurting some. But thirty minutes of moving around gets me limbered up fairly well, and the day begins. I refuse to take much pain medication, and a couple of ibuprofen is my limit. I still single hand a 37 footer, and it's not too big a chore. Will continue to do this untill I can no longer do it. And probably keep trying for some time after that day arrives. Don't quit, and don't give up. Once you quit, you can never go back.
I didn't realize that this many on the board were as old as they are. Makes me feel young again. I will be 70 in June. Used to race motorcycles for many years, and was a flooring installer along the same time frame. So, I have had both legs broken, right one screwed together, bunch of ribs and an arm also. Knees in fair condition, but certainly not getting any better. Couple of years ago I fell of the mast, from the spreaders, and crushed three vertabrae. So I get up every morning stiff, and hurting some. But thirty minutes of moving around gets me limbered up fairly well, and the day begins. I refuse to take much pain medication, and a couple of ibuprofen is my limit. I still single hand a 37 footer, and it's not too big a chore. Will continue to do this untill I can no longer do it. And probably keep trying for some time after that day arrives. Don't quit, and don't give up. Once you quit, you can never go back.
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