Possible ComPac 25 for Sale

[imjimmy7578]

I have a 1996 ComPac 25 for about 8 years and sail her out of Sandusky, Ohio on Lake Erie - a fine boat, stable, comfortable and a joy to sail. She has nearly every option you could get i.e. 12 hp diesel, A/C, hot water, Edson Steering, 110% jib in 2008 - Doyle and a new Doyle main in 2010 (2 reef points) plus stereo (2009), built in battery charger (2009), cushions etc. The problem is I'm 65 and sailing still presents challenges like climbing around the boat. The difficulty for me is remembering pulling into a marina and watching the heads turn as the beautiful Stella Bella motored by or the joy of a reach in 12 kts of breeze. I'm at that tipping point and could go either way. 
I should stop for now before I talk myself out of it and I may. The boat goes in the water May 18th, 2010. I'd be curious to know if there was anyone out there who might have an interest?

Jim

[Glenn Basore]

I understand your feelings......

At 62 and retiring June 7Th my Eclipse is getting to be a bit much for me to handle. I tell my self "keep sailing her as long as I can" but I pay for it the next day physically.

boat preparations for towing, launch and then the reverse, its a full day for me and I pay for it physically the next couple of days. I'm Trying to convince myself I will sail her more that I'm retired and that will make me more physically fit to do so...........I hope so.

Its a hard decision to make but I guess we will know when is enough.

Best of luck

Glenn B.

[newt]

I am only 52, but from multiple injuries incurred when young, there are days I can barely make it. My question to you- what are you going to do when you give up sailing? I cannot find anything I would rather do on the shore. I am not going to golf.
As I see it, one day my son will wheel me out in my chair, I will sit on the cabin top until I can't and then I will be in the water. A fitting end to a fine life. I will not die in a hospital of cancer, or some terminal disease while people are preforming all my bodily functions for me. No, my boat is my last freedom, and I will go down with my ship....

[brackish]

Newt, I'm with you, watched my father and father in law die of cancer in the same year and will do whatever to avoid that.

I'm 63 and luckily in good enough health to sail and even single hand my 23 when necessary.  In fact I just got back from a sail, had a great time, the Admiral actually left the desk job and went with me on sea duty.

A thought for Jim.  When I was in my twenty's I sailed with a guy who was in his seventies at the time, had a Morgan 30.  Henig Forman a really great man, moved into an apartment complex where all the twenty and thirty somethings lived and cultivated friendships with us all and we became his crew.  As he got older, we were there to keep him sailing, clean up and help maintain his boat for him.  Most of us couldn't afford boats that nice at the time so we welcomed the relationship.  You might consider something like that. 

[Bob23]

A perspective:
   My father in law, Otto Hansen, sailed single handed his Irwin FreeSpirit 21 until he was about 86. He realized that he might be getting old so he gave the ship, named "Gannet" to my son Chris who is carrying on the tradition.
   After he relinquished the command he limited himself to the sunfish and his kayak, both paddled and sailed.
   Last year, age 89, was the first summer he didn't sail at all. The man knows his limitations, which are few. I think he's one of the youngest 90 year olds I know.
   At birthday number 85, he, myself and my freind Dennis took him out for a perfect sail aboard my 1985 23/2, "Koinonia". Now Otto has been around boats for 75 years or so and he knows the good from the bad; the ugly from the beautiful. We went out on a perfect day for the 23, he took as many naps as he wanted, steered, gave us tips on sail trim and, all in all, we had one of best sails we've ever had.
   Later, he remarked that that was the best birthday he'd ever had. Quite humbling, to say the least.
   The question is: Did he stay young to sail, or did sailing keep him young?
Bob23

[Potcake boy]

I've heard it said that God gives us all a certain amount of time here on Earth, however the time spent sailing doesn't count against that.  Seems reasonable to me.

Ron

[Tim Gardner]

Gents,

A bit off topic --

Having been known since college as the "Incredible Bulk", I used to tip the scales up around "Honey, I broke the bathroom scale again!".  I also found the old sports injuries from when I was still invincible catching up with the knees, lower back, and neck.  Now, I'm 58, and my family, barring fatal accidents, tends to live well into the 90's & some low 100's.  After sailing in my youth, I rediscovered sailing at 50 & I want to sail well into my 80's.

Why are you telling me this you ask?  Well, I went out and bought a Wii game and the basic Wii sports package for Christmas this year.  In it is basic warm-up, balance training and most important a Yoga program for flexibility.  I told myself  - "If you're going to sail this next year as much as you want, you better be able to scamper around the boat, or at least the cockpit"

The results - "with a little portion control, a little less Beer, and with nearly daily use of the GD Wii, I've dropped 15#, but more importantly, bending movements are MUCH easier, my upper body strength has improved, and my knees don't yell as loud.  I don't scamper yet, but I no longer just ooze from side to side while tacking.

I know "round is a shape", but if we want to sail into our later years, we must try to stay in some semblance of shape.

Regards, TG

[brackish]

The results - "with a little portion control, a little less Beer, and with nearly daily use of the GD Wii, I've dropped 15#, but more importantly, bending movements are MUCH easier, my upper body strength has improved, and my knees don't yell as loud.  I don't scamper yet, but I no longer just ooze from side to side while tacking.

Regards, TG

Good for you Tim!  Once you establish the habits they become much easier to continue.

I made that decision when I hit forty.  Reviewing my employee health care cost statistical detail I noticed that my age peer group had an extraordinary level of use of prescriptions for high blood pressure, cholesterol statins, and believe it or not, drugs in the same class as Valium (shockingly, the most used prescription of all).  Many had achieved type 2 Diabetes status.  Some where getting back and knee surgeries.

I started to run.  At first just a mile or two slowly, but gradually more distance and speed.  Lost thirty lbs. over about two years. Twenty-three years later I run about a hundred miles a month, compete in a dozen or so races a year, win my age group almost always, and usually finish in the top 20% of all runners, regardless of age.  I'm targeting the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon this fall as my long race of the year with hopes of running a Boston qualifying time.

And none of the above mentioned drugs are in my life.

Hope to be able to both run and sail for a very long time to come.

[Glenn Basore]

newt,

When I do part with my Eclipse I was thinking of stepping down to a small day sailor, 14 or 16 footer. However, that too may fall to the way side  do to physical limitations.

I have recently gotten into astronomy and built my own telescope 12.5 f/5 (not hard to build several on line sites on "how to build a telescope). I enjoy looking at the night skies. I joined a local club to learn more and participate in several "star parties".

Often times I just roll it out onto my drive way and gaze at what ever is out spend what ever amount of time I feel like. Other time I take it out of town to dark areas and set up, I have peace and quiet and a beautiful dark sky all to myself.

There is so much to learn and see that Im enjoying my new found hobby.

[cycle]

I made that decision when I hit forty.  Reviewing my employee health care cost statistical detail I noticed that my age peer group had an extraordinary level of use of prescriptions for high blood pressure, cholesterol statins, and believe it or not, drugs in the same class as Valium (shockingly, the most used prescription of all).  Many had achieved type 2 Diabetes status.  Some where getting back and knee surgeries.

I started to run.  At first just a mile or two slowly, but gradually more distance and speed.  Lost thirty lbs. over about two years. Twenty-three years later I run about a hundred miles a month, compete in a dozen or so races a year, win my age group almost always, and usually finish in the top 20% of all runners, regardless of age.  I'm targeting the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon this fall as my long race of the year with hopes of running a Boston qualifying time.

And non of the above mentioned drugs are in my life.

Hope to be able to both run and sail for a very long time to come.

Thats great to hear & hoping i can do the same.  I started running at 47 (am 53 now).  I've no delusions about what 5k times can be achieved at this late date - but usually top third in my age group.  The best (and unexpected) part of the whole thing is how much more energy I have.  The most annoying part is having issues with joints/knees etc.  Having never excercised, I consider these parts unused and pristine - "Like new condition!", right?  There is no reason at all for pain or failure ...

Jon

[newt]

Wow, I seem to have hit a nerve. Don't worry guys, I still have quite a few years left in me. Those stories are inspiring. Bob,  I hope to be like your father in law. I want to teach my grandchildren how to sail, and perhaps their children. When I know its the end, I just refuse to go to a hospital. I have spend more time in hospitals than at home in my life. It can be a place of incredible courage, but there is almost always misery.
One of my sons is now premed, following in my footsteps. I know he will try to talk me out of it, but in the end he will understand more than the rest of my family. I want to die with dignity, when God wants, and not when my family can't take it anymore...
(Sorry for the thread drift, I am spost to try and prevent posts like this one )

[brackish]

Thats great to hear & hoping i can do the same.  I started running at 47 (am 53 now).  I've no delusions about what 5k times can be achieved at this late date - but usually top third in my age group.  The best (and unexpected) part of the whole thing is how much more energy I have.  The most annoying part is having issues with joints/knees etc.  Having never excercised, I consider these parts unused and pristine - "Like new condition!", right?  There is no reason at all for pain or failure ...

Jon

Jon it's not necessary to worry about speed or even to try to get faster.  I ran very slowly for many years.  But competing became one of the hooks that kept me running so I purposely tried to improve by introducing intervals, tempo's and the like.  Set PR's in three distances at age 60.  The important thing is to find out what "hooks" you and accommodate it.  With me it's the camaraderie of the running club and competing.  With regard to your joints/knees, I'm going to assume that you have had your gait, pronation propensity and arch evaluated and are in the proper type of shoe for you.  I had chronic shin splints and a nueroma (tying shoes too tight) early on but those things gradually went away. 

I did have a new, very satisfying, experience last Saturday, pushing a handicapped kid's wheel chair in a 5K.

Newt, this thread is still just slightly tangentially on topic, but if you have to drop the hammer and make us move it we'll understand.

[jamato323]

This is an absolutely great thread, thank you all for sharing your hopes and dreams as well as limitations. Several years ago, at 255 lbs, I gave up my SunCat because I no longer had the energy to launch and retrieve her alone. Moved on to a motor sailor and then, horrors, a melted milk bottle style power boat. Last year I came to my senses, joined a gym and learned that more is never better and lost 50 pounds,. At 67 I had a new outlook on life. I thought back over the 13 boats I've owned and realized the most fun was that little SunCat. As a reward for my efforts I ordered a new one from the factory and took delivery of her last June. I have the energy now because I'm carrying around a lot less "gear".
Just turned 68 and want to enjoy each day as it comes and in SW FL that means a day sail is just a ramp away most anytime.

[newt]

Went for a sail today. 65 degrees and friends there and helping. All retired but me. Man it just doesn't get any better.

[Bob23]

   I stopped running years ago after in a snowboard accident I sustained a knee injury. I restarted road cycling back in 1991, got up to the point where doing 2 or 3 centurys a year was no problem.
   Then some stupid woman driver decided to hit me, break my right clavicle and so ended my riding for a while. I got back on asap only to be struck by truck about 5 years later. That injury was more serious and scary. The ah came up behind me, drifted onto the shoulder, and got me.
   During the time I was dealing with that, the traffic in my area increased and road riding became more dangerous so I took up rowing. I love boats ( did I ever mention that?) and there is just something about rowing that is thrilling. In 1999 I built a Chesapeake Light Craft Annapolis Wherry and started having shoulder pains. Fast forward to 2010, I've had 2 very serious rotator cuff injuries, which were fixed by the best surgeon in the world (my opinion- Rothman Institure- nyou rock!) and now am back rowing an Alden Ocean Shell outdoors and Concept 2 indoors.
    They say my knees have something torn but they feel fine to me!
    Don't give up, men. Sometimes our biggest limitations are in our minds.
Bob23
(ps: Newt: Good for you!! See, being moderator has it's rewards!)