[paleosalr]

Writer working on article about "senior" sailors would like to hear from those who started sailing after age 55.
email [email protected]

 

[halyardz]

I''m re-starting at 54...and it all comes
back. The greatest challenge seems to be the
testing of upper body strength. Thank God
for blocks and winches.

 

[firemanbob]

At age 56 I''ve been a power boater all my life. I just purchased a 30'' pearson sloop and am now a rag bagger. about 15 years ago I owned an 18'' cat. I hope it all comes back to me. they say its like riding a bike. lets hope so. bob

 

[wmann]

Been a while since you posted this. Probably too late to be useful, but here goes.

Had 1 hour on a Hobie about 20 years ago. Sailing seemed like a reasonable thing to do, so...

Turned 55, took 4 hours of sailing instruction, bought a 16-foot boat, and (with my wife as an innocent crew member) proceeded to motor to the middle of the lake, raise both sails, and turn off the motor.

Estimate that we have 40-50 hours of experience since boat purchase on July 13. Beginning to feel comfortable in winds to 10-12 mph. Would like to extend skill set to 18-20 mph. (Maybe I should learn to reef?)

Biggest thrill so far: seeing somebody else struggling with the tiller and mainsail and realizing that they have less experience than I do.

Advice to seniors: Don''t wait another day. It requires physical strength and endurance to compensate for stupid beginner mistakes. Learn to sail smart while you''re still able to pay the price for your errors.

 

[SHIMSHON]

HMMM-never thought of myself as a "senior sailor" at age 55. Maybe I should rethink this whole thing.

 

[gpilott]

Don''t know what all this crap about "senior sailors" is. I''m still flying a fire fighting helicopter at 57 and plan to trade that adventure in for cruising under sail at 60. Once again those far away places with the strange sounding names are calling me, only a different mode of transport this time!

 

[nauticalrich]

At 58 and still going strong. Still sailing 25 ft kelt, with tiller. Wheel would probably be easier. Tow dink, put motor on it from boat. Lots of work but feel really good after a weekend cruise.
PS!!!!Two back surgeries, two rotator cup surgeries and lot of celebrex help.

God willing I''ll be able to sail away after I retire and keep on until I am 101 years young.

 

[TSOJOURNER]

Like nauticalrich, surgeries, celebrex and desire to "do". 60 this month. Cruise next month.

 

[TSOJOURNER]

I am 71 and my wife is 59. We plan to sail a Cal 34 Mk III from Belingham WA to Seward AK this coming June. This is about a four week cruise with an ocean crossing of approx. 600 miles from Sitka AK to Seward AK. We do not expect to be taxed by this, although the Gulf of Alaska weather can be chancy. We do have experience, but are by no means more than amateur sailors. We intend to use this vessel to cruise Alaskan waters for the next few years and have a good time.

 

[peterpan2k]

My life began, or should I say I got a life at 55. I''m a power boater with a 37 foot cabin cruiser. She''s got a 250 mile range and I''ll cruise to Mexico from LA. in a blink. I just wish i''d have bought a sail boat instead. When I get back from salmon fishing in Alaska this summer I''ll consider a trade.
Ole Pete

 

[peterpan2k]

My life began, or should I say I got a life at 55. I''m a power boater with a 37 foot cabin cruiser. She''s got a 250 mile range and I''ll cruise to Mexico from LA. in a blink. I just wish i''d have bought a sail boat instead. When I get back from salmon fishing in Alaska this summer I''ll consider a trade.
Ole Pete

 

[TSOJOURNER]

What is this nonsense that 55 is old? I retired at 64; bought a Tayana 37, crossed the Atlantic 4 times, sailed down to the Caribbean seven times; cruised all up and down the Atlantic coast singlehanded with my little dog for the past ten years. It does apear that Americans are getting fat and lazy.
`` Joe

 

[gershel]

Hi Joe, well said. Good for you. I''m 64,just retired & I hope in 10yrs.that I can write a letter of inspiration like yours.I''d like to talk to you sometime about single-handed voyaging.
Marc

 

[TSOJOURNER]

Hello Joe;
I am 66, have a 1977, Pearson 35 that is getting a new diesel this week along with other goodies that will enable me & my lovely wife to sail Narragansett Bay this summer, More upgrading next winter & then onto faraway places the following summer. I would love to sail this boat to the Med & hang out around Greece, Italy, the Dalmations, & the coast of Turkey. If that is too ambitious then it''s down the ICW to Cuba & onto the BVIs''. I work out three times a week & walk(not stroll) several miles a day to stay strong & in shape. There is so much to see & experience & to me the way to see it is by a good boat. Anyway , good for you & hope you have many, many more years of adventure.
Ed Uptain

 

[TSOJOURNER]

I will turn 69 next month and still outsail the children.

Jerry

 

[snoreky]

hi paleosalr, i am 57 and just started sailing last year. in a short line: a man, a vessel, and the wind = freedom.......snoreky

 

[TSOJOURNER]

I am 61 have been sailing for over 20 years. we are just moving up from a 38 to a 42 foot sailboat. The only things that I am doing differently, I am using a batt car system for the main with roller bearing sheaves in the masthead for better ease in raising the main sail. Also spend time in the gym several days a week and do mostly weekend and coastal sailing (No long cruises as I still work)
Mark

 

[TSOJOURNER]

I''m 72 and bought a Catalina 310 last August, my 5th boat. Charterd a 50 foot in B VI for 8 days and it was great fun.. If I had the money I might go bigger but the 310 is a great size to single hand.
Roger

 

[TSOJOURNER]

Started sailing last year at 54, purchased a 12'' and sailed the summer... this year purchased a 18'' Newport WhiteCap, day sailor and have re-fallen in love with sailing. The bigger boat is more stable, can carry more passengers and is so much better all around. Mostly sail by myself and "love the moment".

 

[TSOJOURNER]

MY wife and I are both 56. We are taking 9 weeks of sailing instruction at a local yacht club on 17'' Oday daysailers. We are hooked. My wife is a non-swimmer but feels very comfortable on these boats which in turn makes it very possible for me to search for our dream boat of about 28''. This adventure is one of the best things we have ever done in our 35+ years of marriage.