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!