on aging and sailing

[Bewildered]

I thought it time I added to this thread as it has become quite appropriate to my current sailing status.  After one year of much effort, thought and expense, I finally got to sail my Eclipse.  Three fun days on breezy San Diego Bay revealed something to me that I did not expect.  I have aged out of this boat!  As fun as it was to sail, I found it difficult to get around on the boat as nimbly as I once did.  And frankly, I did not feel secure on the cabin top or the foredeck as I would like at this point in my life.  I am in good shape for a man my age, slender and fit. But, legs don't lie when they indicate to you me that I am no longer the agile sailor who leaped about the deck of a boat with ease and abandon.  So. I am putting the boat up for sale and will move onto something a bit bigger with an in board diesel a wheel helm and a navigable side deck with double lifelines so I can move fore and aft with greater confidence.  Rather than feeling sad about this sober realization, I feel a sense of pride born of the wisdom that comes with age that I am making this change.  Just another faze of this great adventure we call life.  Fair winds folks!

[passagesfromtheheart]

I thought it time I added to this thread as it has become quite appropriate to my current sailing status.  After one year of much effort, thought and expense, I finally got to sail my Eclipse.  Three fun days on breezy San Diego Bay revealed something to me that I did not expect.  I have aged out of this boat!  As fun as it was to sail, I found it difficult to get around on the boat as nimbly as I once did.  And frankly, I did not feel secure on the cabin top or the foredeck as I would like at this point in my life.  I am in good shape for a man my age, slender and fit. But, legs don't lie when they indicate to you me that I am no longer the agile sailor who leaped about the deck of a boat with ease and abandon.  So. I am putting the boat up for sale and will move onto something a bit bigger with an in board diesel a wheel helm and a navigable side deck with double lifelines so I can move fore and aft with greater confidence.  Rather than feeling sad about this sober realization, I feel a sense of pride born of the wisdom that comes with age that I am making this change.  Just another faze of this great adventure we call life.  Fair winds folks!

Thanks for sharing this post, Bewildered! I think your experience is something many of us can relate to and all learn from -- what I find particularly interesting is that most folks tend to go smaller as age catches up with us, but I love how you're thinking/considering going with a larger vessel! There is something to be said about the "real estate" available onboard our boats! That was one reason why I wanted a 23 -- having had a Legacy prior! Interesting (to use the word again), I'm back to the Legacy -- however, this time, I have a roller furler which will alleviate (for the most part, I hope) going forward to, as my grandfather used to say, "dicker around" with things. Standing up on the little deck space on my first Legacy was a bit dicey for me, especially while out on the lake -- I certainly didn't have the nimbleness (as you mentioned) I once had -- my "spider legs" as I called them, did not react/behave on deck as they did as a younger sailor. On top of that, there's really not much to hold onto up there barring the bow pulpit. When the wave action got to be a little much, I was really nervous up there -- add to the mix my already-challenged balance issues...and presto! It was something which gave me pause. Anyhow, I'm super-appreciative that you've shared this post and I am sure that you will find a new captain for your gorgeous Eclipse soon -- keep us posted on what your next boat is, pretty please!

[passagesfromtheheart]

The Sea and the Wind That Blows is a narrative/reflection piece written by famous author, E.B. White. He really knows how to write about aging as a sailor -- if you haven't read this yet, it's a must read -- absolutely beautiful, poetic writing which brought me to tears -- btw, his son, Joel White, designed sailboats -- I just learned that as well! How cool!!!

Here's the link (there is a audio play button, too, if you like):

The Sea and the Wind That Blows

[curtisv]

Chelle - many sailors keep sailing small boats well into their 70s and 80s and some into their 90s.  Ralph Hanson was a bit of a ledgend at a YC where I used to be a member (Orleans Yacht Club, MA - on Cape Cod).  Ralph sailed a Daysailer (originally built by O'Day) in the 2015 North American Championship Regatta at age 90 and did fairly well as I remember.  He sailed a few more years in club racing but crossed the bar just prior to turning 95.  Here's hoping that many of us can live a long active life and stay active and healthy almost to the end.  Ralph is one of those people that has showed us it can be done.  Recently someone aged 91 just finished hiking the Appalacian Trail and becoming the oldest to do so (having previously set that record in his early 80s).