Reality Check..physical limitations

[Ross]

I am amused by all of this discussion about

age. I still work full time when there is work to be done. I have no intention of retiring. I fully expect to die with my work clothes on and tools in my hands. I am in far better health than were my parents and I enjoy working and gardening and boating and reading and watching the calendar pages turn. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are. Are my knees as good as they were 30 years ago? NO! But they still work as do all of the rest of my bits and pieces. You say you get tired after a hard day? What? you didn't get tired 30 years ago after a hard day? Of course you get tired and you rest and get on with it. This week I am remodeling a kitchen, 8+ hours each day and come home take a shower, have supper, spend some time here, talk with Nancy, read for a while and go to bed. Saturday we plan to go sailing, Monday I will celebrate 69 years on this well worn planet

 

[John Nantz]

Think about Sir Francis Chichester ....

.... when you feel you're getting tired. He did a lot of single-handed sailing.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_ChichesterIt can be done but certainly being in condition has a lot to do with it. Like what was previously mentioned, genes are no doubt a factor too. Also, Ellen MacArthur attributed a lot of her success in the Vendee Globe single-handed race to an analysis of human functions to combat fatigue over many days of sailing. See link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/3555716.stmThe mother of one of the HAPS members (Hunter Association of Puget Sound) was well in her 70s and she single-handed a fairly small boat from Puget Sound around the world as far as Africa but her boat was wrecked in her absence (she had to leave to go somewhere) due to a storm.It seems people tend to get worn out, maybe not unlike cars, at different rates. Many of my slip-buddies (or former buddies in the past year or so have "gone over to the dark side" (read: motorboats) because they want to take it easier.There's more to life than just age and physical condition. Personal problems and issues can wear on a person down, too, and sap your will, and therefor your strength.Find something that really gets you "fired-up" in life and I'm sure your will and desire to do things physical will greatly improve.Keep the Dream!

 

[MoonSailer]

Thanks for the Encouragement!!!

My wife has to work this weekend and I plan to go to the boat. If the wind is up I'll sail if not I will take my scuba gear and scrub the hull. Mental may be important!!! It might have been having to go to work on Monday more than sailing on the weekend... Ross seems to have the answer..be your own boss. Control of one's own life is important. I'm a wage slave.

 

[Tom Monroe]

It's the mental that get's me ...

I'm 58, and my routine is to work out aerobically three days a week and add some "core" training whenever I'm watching TV. That allows me a base to do about anything I want as long as I don't expect to do it like I was 40. That includes skiing, some light mountain hiking, river canoeing, and occassionally shooting some hoops, all more slowly than I used to.I find it's stress and anxiety that tire me more than the sailing. If I'm fretting about what the weather will do, or trying to navigate someplace I've not been, or I'm out on a Sunday watching out for idiots, or some such, that tires me more than the physical requirements of managing the boat. I've also had to learn to draw a hard line between how I approach being on a boat that's racing and how I approach being on a boat singlehanded. If you want to singlehand and insist on perfect sail trim, you're going to get plum beat up by the end of the day!I retire in 3 1/2 years. I'm planning on buying a C30 or some such on the gulf, spend a couple months on her down there, and then sail her up to Kentucky Lake, all singlehanded. My guess is that I'll spend a lot of time at anchor Just do it ... a bit more slowly.Tom

 

[MoonSailer]

Single Handed Locking Through

There are a lot of locks between Mobile and Paducah!!!! Maybe 14 or 15. Locking down is usually a non-event with smooth water flow. But locking up can be difficult even with two on board. The inflowing water makes a lot of eddys and other turbulance that can catch the keel and rudder and push the boat around a lot. The lock keeper usually tells you the best place to go to avoid turbulance. I don't know if I am able to lock through by myself. My biggest fear is that we get started rocking and the mast hit the wall. Slamming the wall would at least break our spreaders. We had one power boat start using his engine to stay in place. His backwash hit us pushing us off the wall. Definately go through a couple locks with some help before committing to the whole Tenn-Tombiggbee waterway single handed.

 

[william24424]

Mike Howard

Whether sailing around the world or around the buoys on maxi boats, Mike Howard is the consummate team player. Now in his late 50s, he may seem to too old to be a grinder, but clearly he keeps making it work. When the movistar team needed some extra muscle for Leg 5 of the last Volvo Ocean Race, Howard got the call. Don't give up at 50.

 

[Chris]

Finally getting back on the water.

After being "landlocked" for many years, I recently purchased a 14' ODAY Javelin Daysailor. Although it sat behind a shed for 9 years, I am super excited and eager to "catch a breeze". The Mainsail and jib are in great shape, but no spinnaker. Does anyone have any info or leads as to where I might find one? Also looking for places to launch. Home is in Westchester PA. area, but open to options. Tried Blue Marsh PA, too many motor-boats and jetski's. Would like to try a couple lakes before heading out into the Chesapeake Bay. Thanks for any input. Chris

 

[Phil]

A newbie at 64

After a lifetime of not sailing...well maybe a few times...I bought a new Catalina 270 in 2005. After an hour on the boat with the dealer, I set out on my own. I find that I'm more timid at this than with other things in my life. I've been around boats and rough water all my life, but when singlehanding or with an inexperienced mate and the winds get over 15 mph and /or gusty, I get nervous. I reef the main at about 12 mph winds and sail genoa (135) only above 15, or return to the dock. Ahhh..to be young again!

 

[RichH]

Oday Javelin Spinnaker kit from Sailrite @ $260.0

www.sailrite.comhttp://quotesys2.sailrite.com/KitCost.aspx?SailName=SPINNAKER&SailArea=127.31&BoatName=JAVELIN%20BY%20O'DAY&Description=0&ID=5442Small Spinnakers are very easy to make from a kit ... all you need is a 'good quality' home zig-zag sewing machine.Small lakes 'almost' close by you ..... Lake Nockamixon near Quakertown Pa. just need a state launching permit. Mostly sailboats. I 'think' the max outboard, etc. allowed is ~19hp. Busy on weekends, etc. 8 mile long lake ... narrow but good sailing most of the time. only 1 hr. driving time from WChester. Lake Galena, Chalfont PA ... need a county launch permit. Not allowed: sailboats over 16 ft., stinkpots, outboard motors. NICE lake for small boats. only 1 hr. driving time from WChester. Chesapeake on small boats .... consider to sail the 'mouths' of many of the creeks in the upper Ches Bay and upper Chester River --- surprisingly 'protected' for small boats. You'll need a county launching permit and usually each creek, etc. has its own 'launch ramp' .... get the official county (Cecil, Kent, Queen Ann, etc.) maps for these locations.