Not Gettin' Any Younger......

[M. R. Bober]

...for OFS. However there many "experienced" CD sailors in the fleet, if you catch my drift.

There is a progression: self tailing winches, roller furlers, power windlasses, trawlers, guest. It really doesn't matter what mechanical advantages you seek & use. Enjoy what you can with what you've got.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Annapolis (where the secret of staying young is hanging with an older crowd), MD

[winthrop fisher]

come on you guys.

you are as young as you feel,

thats what i keep telling my wife at 49.

your body may break down but your mind does not.

i am 48 and i lost 85 pounds and i can still out do my son at 20 years old.

remember, you can do it.

take that boat out and sail away.....
winthrop

[Bill Michne]

A year or two ago I agonized over hitting 60, and how I would be unable to manage Mintaka under sail, and how maybe I ought to get a smaller boat with all the conveniences like furling main and power winches. Then I read Reese Palley's book, "Call of the Ancient Mariner," not just once but maybe three times now. Boy, what an eye opener. This guy wrote the book in his eighties, still sailing a 45 footer, and cavorting with his bride 30 years his junior. I decided to keep Mintaka, and haven't regretted it. We've added a few more conveniences, like an anchor windlass, etc., and enjoy sailing more than ever. This season we will race the boat regularly with the local club. We aren't doing it to win, only to get as much out of the boat and ourselves as we can. Getting old? Hell, I don't have time for that.

[George Shaunfield]

I have been thinking, as have many of you, since I am about to turn 60. 'How many years will I be able to single-hand or make offshore trips (I want to do longer ones)?" That is why a month ago I was considering buying a Westsail 28. However, now is not the right time. My 26 is capable of taking me anywhere I have the time and experience to go right now. This year's goal is 160 nm trip offshore trip.

A few weeks ago someone posted this link to a excellent article written by Ken Preston (age 59 I believe) entitled "BRINGING LYRA HOME". This an account of his buying a 27' Albin Vega and single-handing it for 1000 nm to windward to San Diego. Prior to this he had been sailing a Potter 19 and had 'posted a new motto on my office wall . .”Go Sailing Now, get old and die later. . .” '. I have not posted the motto yet, but I have been thinking about what it says.

Anyway, here is the link again to a very worthwhile read.
http://www.albinvega.co.uk/articles/bri ... ahome.html

George

[jerryaxler]

I'm going to be 64 this month and the only change in my plans for sailing are to push forward plans for extensive cruising. I've made Shana more comfortable to handle by increasing house batteries,adding a wind generator and an all chain rode with windlass. Creature comforts like TV,Ipod and satellite radio have also been added this year. I have scaled back my dreams of cruising off into the sunset, but I am taking three months off this summer to do Maine and I still hope to do the Intercoastal and at least the Bahamas the year after.
If you have any doubts about sailing at an "advanced" age,you should read the Reese Paley book. Now if I could only find a mate that is 30 years younger

[Neil Gordon]

Ah yes...Time and tide wait for no man.

The tide won't wait for you, but sometimes you wait for the tide and you can use the time that's not waiting while you're waiting for the tide to do something that will save you time later and then use the saved time (that's not waiting for you, either) to go sailing.

[Parfait's Provider]

Just back from our trek to FL on a motorhome search and I am having buyer's remorse before I even make a bid. Thanks for your inspiring words and quotes. I needed that. "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead." Whatever your "full speed" may be.

For those of you, like myself, who haven't let your subscription to SAIL run out, take a look at the current article on racing IOLAIRE. I am particularly charmed by their approach to light airs. The closing anecdote is a keeper.

[M. R. Bober]

"Well my friends are gone,
and my hair is grey,
and I ache in the places where I used to play"
"Tower of Song" Leonard Cohen

Come on! You're only as old as I think you are. The inverse is equally true.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Annapolis (Smile mon, it no break your face!), MD

[Frank Vernet]

Ah yes...Time and tide wait for no man.

The tide won't wait for you, but sometimes you wait for the tide and you can use the time that's not waiting while you're waiting for the tide to do something that will save you time later and then use the saved time (that's not waiting for you, either) to go sailing.

what?????????

[nikon4004]

Take a klookmat my earlier post titled HOOKED and see how I feel about this.


Steve

[fenixrises]

Hi all,

The clock keeps tickin. . .

On my last long cruise I met two couples in the Marqueses. One couple from Holland were in thier late 60's and still sailed and handled thier ~45' sailboat very well. They were on thier second circumnavigation.

Another couple from Norway were sailing a 99 year old Colin Archer Redningskoit of about 55' and about 70,000lbs with the help of two youngsters from thier hometown in Norway. These folks were in thier 70's and very fit and active.

In that year, 1992, there was another person gaining quite a reputation on the south Pacific milkrun, on a Pacific Seacraft Dana 24' . The boat left southern California in the early spring and was making a pleasant journey through the islands. The skipper had a few problems, like loosing a headsail overboard and having a halyard go up the mast while at sea. But generally made good progress and was having a wonderful time. The other cruisers took a special interest in the captain and often lent a hand or a tool or advice. "Mighty Mary" as she came to be known was a 64 year old widow with coastal sailing experience. She and her husband had sailed a bit over the years around southern California. After he passed she wanted to fulfill her own dream of ocean cruising. She bought the boat and participated in its outfitting and like hundreds before set sail for distant lands.

Happy sails to you,
Fred B