what age stop sailing

[ironhors42]

Here goes, I am 67 yrs old just started sailing two yrs ago in 2007. The beginning of 2007 I join sailing club in Chicago surburb area to start to learn about sailing and have learn somethings,which I am still very active in club meeting and outting. but in summmer of 2007 I took ASA 101 103 104 classes,and 2008 I took classes with Power Squadron in navigation 1 and navigation 2
My girlfiend and I are selling our homes and moving to Florida to buy a small home and paid cash and use rest of money to buy a 30 t0 32 ft sailboat for coastal cruising around state of Florida.
My question is at my age of 67 and trying to get experience in sailing with my own boat is it worth it to try at this age in my life knowing the time can be short term? I am in excellent health and excellent physical shape for my age.
So what age do you stop sailing?

 

[Stu Jackson]

So what age do you stop sailing?

NEVER

Good for you.

 

[Larry Neese]

my 23 year old daughter, an avid sailor says never stop and her old man (me) hell I'll sail the islands until I shrivel up. Good Luck and Welcome aboard

 

[John]

I'm 63 (almost) and I plan to keep sailing for another 15 years at least. I think it all depends on your present state of health.

 

[Ross]

You kids amuse me. At what age will you stop doing and start mouldering. I was 61 when I completed the refit on Bietzpadlin and figure I have the better prt of 25 years ahead of me for sailing. When I can no longer haul my bones up onto the boat I may stop.

 

[sailingdog]

I know sailors who are in their eighties that are still singlehanding... it really depends on how fit and healthy you are.

 

[Roger Long]

A topic close to my heart since I'm starting my serious sailing at an age when most sailors are selling their sailboats and buying powerboats or RV's.

My plan? I intend to cruise everyone is saying, "We've got to get the old guy off that boat before he hurts himself." That will be my signal to start sailing in more remote areas and turning off the SPOT beacon in case someone decides to save me from myself. Keep an eye out for me about 10 years after that.

You are on the right track with a 32 foot boat. The biggest enemy of sailing late in life are the strains of docking and undocking a large boat and dealing with a main that's up at eye level instead of down where you can furl it easily. (I draw the line at roller furling mains. There has to be one little token bit of seamanship and sail handling left to make it real.) The economics of the 40 - 50 footer with refrigeration, AC, big screen TV, etc. that most retired people feel they must have can also tie you down.

When I realized that the 32 foot boat my ex. and I bought as a lark was turning into a serious life focus change (By by wife, by by flying, hello sea, buy, buy, and buy, and buy, they always know my name at the marine hardware store), I thought briefly of a larger boat but realized that extending my sailing as late in life as possible was what was most important. A 32 footer may put you in the near homeless category as far as most retirement sailors are concerned but I'll accept that for another decade of cruising.

 

[Big Windy]

Keep going as long as you are able and want to do it. In this day and age, 67 us a pup.

 

[sailaway78]

What age

The simplest answer is when you can no longer physically do it. I'll be 71 this year, and single hand a 37 most of the time, and have no qualms about taking off for anywhere. I never think about the age. As long as I am physically capable to sail, I will continute to do so. Worrying about the age thing will just cause you to get more gray in your hair.

 

[Ray T]

Re: What age

As with Nice N Easy Ill be 71 this year, I really haven't given it serious consideration as to when Ill stop sailing. when my mind gets to the point that I don't care anymore. I guess Ill stop. There are several people in their eighties who actively race on our lake. You just have to acknowledge your limitations and act accordingly.

 

[novelman17130]

I will be 78 this June and have been sailing regularly for many years (when I can find sailing buddies.) Just last year I quit sailing solo, not because I can't but because I don't enjoy it like I used to. In fact I just bought a new (to me 25' Lancer to replace my 22' Venture, mostly because it's a little more stable platform and is more comfortable to overnight in and sail to Catalina. I plan on continuing until I no longer enjoy it. I have several sails planned this summer to Catalina, Santa Barbara Island, San Diego and 2-3 night coastline crusing. Go for it, especially since you have a girlfriend who goes along with it. And their is nothing like a good smelling sailing buddy to keep your feet warm.
Duane "novelman"

 

[Ariel]

As long as you enjoy it!

I am 71 and my wife is 65. We still spend six months living on our boat and sailing the Chesapeake and east coast. As long as you want to, just do it.

Dave
s/v Ariel

 

[KyGuy]

Sail until it is no longer fun. I am nearly 70 and started last year. That's my plan and I am sticking to it.

 

[Benny]

You'll know whnyou are ready to quit. I recently heard a 67 year young fellow say that autopilot will keep me sailing for another 5 years. Some will rely on the windlass and others on on electric winches but most will sail on to the time the they want to. I have always lived in the present with no emotional attachement to the past so I choose to sail today and maybe tomorrow.

 

[Ross]

Some of the questions I ask my peers are: how was the health of your parents when they were the age you are now? Did they get the quality of medical care that is available to you? How old are they now or at what age did they die?

 

[John]

Another point

I think a lot of people, as they age, the start to think "I can't do this anymore; it's time for me to slow down." And so they do. I've noticed sometimes I have to push myself a little more than I did in the past, but every time I do, I'm glad I did. I think we need to make sure we get some sort of good, regular exercise - both physical and mental. One main effect of aging, I believe, is that it's easier to lose condition and harder to get it back.

All of this is an argument to keep sailing - as well as everything else!

 

[ironhors42]

Well, Ross My mother die at 57, from heart attack from having to many diabetic seizure over period of some months and her heart couldn't take any more.
My dad die from a car accident at age of 78, but he was in healthly condition.
Both of my grandfather live until in the late 70 and ones live to be 94.

 

[ironhors42]

Like my girlfriend said, It better to be sailing than to have us all old folk on the road, we will probably be more dangerous driving.

 

[Guest]

Aged

There will come a day, while I'm out sailing, when He will call me home. My reply to Him will be, "Can I bring my boat?". I can think of nothing more heavenly than to continue my sailing experience forever.

Terry Cox

 

[Laura14257]

Hi ironhors, this is your girlfriend, the bottom line here is, if you think you are to old (and that applies to all things) then you will be. I'll never be too old!!! ( Never going to mature) I think most of you out there will agree with me.