I'am I too old

[Al]

Hi All. I have been watching the Mac since the 26X came out. But with work didn't think I could get the time too really utilized the boat. But as time went by I now have the time but I'am I too old to get into the sport. I recently turned 67 years of maturity and am in relitively good health. I have never owned a sailboat, but have taken a sailing course at the local Jr. college. My dream is to rig the boat and spend the winter in the Sea of Cortez and hit as many lake in the western part of the country as possible before I get too old to travel.

My wife thinks we are too old to be vagabonds. What do you think?

Al

[Catigale]

You are way too young to give up on a dream, Al....go for it...

[Rich Plumb]

I think that you are good to go! I will be sixty this fall and I'm still single-handing just fine after six years with my 26X. I'm going to Mark Twain.....

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream."

Mark Twain, (1835 - 1910)

~~~~~~~~_/)~~~~~~~~
Rich Plumb "Plumb Crazy"
26X, Covington WA

[gtquier]

You are just a kid. I just got my 26X in June and I am 77!. It's just numbers

George Quier
joplin, MO
gtquier@cableone.net

[TonyG]

I was 70 when I bought my boat from Bill.Now I am 71 and in the second year with my 26m. Old is in the mind.Seems womens minds go old faster.
Go for it.

[Tahoe Jack]

FYI, seems like Rumsfeld is 74 and the big dog of national intelligence John Negroponte is 67.....and they seem to be raising hull pretty effectively. Jack

[Night Sailor]

Ignore the numbers. Age is a state of mind. Welcome to best sport in the world.

I'm 67 and plan to put another 20 thousand miles under my keel. Many of the most accomplished world cruisers have been in their seventies and early eighties before they gave up big ocean going boats and graduated up to trailer sailors like the Mac.... This great bunch of folks on this forum will be of a tremendous help with any serious questions yoiu have.

Keep up your health, get the boat rigged and go sailing. Plenty of adventure awaits even on small lakes. Even beginners have a lot of fun under sail. Sailing keeps the mind sharp and the heart alive.

The wife and I are looking at several long distance (1000 mile) cruises next year in the Gulf or the East coast or Sea of Cortez, etc. We may have to flip a coin to decide. Too many options so little time to do it all. Get started now. There is a lot of good sailng in western lakes. Go for it. The Mac is easy to sail and tow. Forgiving. Safe. Strong. Comfortable for two.

[kmclemore]

Are you out of your MIND, Al? This is the *PERFECT* time for you to own a Mac! You're still young enough to handle it (they are a pretty light and easy boat to sail or power), and you probably have grandkids (or could 'adopt' a few!) and they will love having you take them out on it. And hey, even if it's just you and the other-half, think of the fun you'll have... a nice meal cooked on board, then a few glasses of wine as you sit together in the cockpit watching the sun go down.... then you tuck in and snuggle up in bed, to be gently rocked to sleep in your own little 'get-away' place.

Cripes! Go for it!

[Bill Warnock]

Hey Al... being 67 years old such as yourself... I went through the same
trepidations... prior to purchasing a 2004 Mac 26M from Rich Boren.

As others have suggested... age is only a number..! Though when I
tell this to our honky tonk angels at the local bar they don't seem to
accept it. (smile)

Just bear in mind your own physical lattitudes and limitations and go
from there. I know I've had to... since I'm no Jack LaLaine... and far
from it. As Rich and Captain Steve of this forum will attest to. :-)
.
With the aforementioned in mind... I have found the Mac to be a gentle
boat for us seniors to experiment with. If nothing else... should the re-
lationship not work out... you can sell it. Sure you might loose a few
bucks... but it appears that their resale value is fairly stable.

In MHO... I say go for it... and give it a try.

Best regards

Bill

(Who is doing it "one day at a time" with my Mac)

[Andy26M]

I sure hope 67 isn't too old!! I've got a ways to go before I hit your level of "respectability" but I do hope to be retired for real by then so that I can get down to some serious sailing!

I met one fellow with a 26X who told me that he has made several trips to Bermuda on his boat - trailers it to Florida, waits for the right weather window to cross the Gulf Stream, and spends 6 weeks around the islands there. He will be 75 this year...

- Andy

[Gazmn]

Just my .02,

I bought that 75 y/o gentleman's Mac "Taurus Two". It included many modifications including a fantastic SS radar arch and autopilot. He kept TWO sailboats. One moored at home, and the '97 Mac for traveling.
Incidently, he was back in Florida - looking for and purchasing another sailboat. He's an inspiration to me regarding what to do in my mature years. -- Meanwhile, I'm just practicing...

-Gaz

[Scott]

My pops was 67 when he outfitted his boat and sailed out of San fran to spend his remaining days anchored in the sea of cortez.

[BK]

A man belongs on his boat. A retired man really belongs on his boat.
(forgot who said this)

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

I've found getting back to sailing in my mid-60s great "mid-life" fun

[Jim Cate]

Al, I have several years on you, and I'm having no problem sailing my 26M, usually single-handed. Just use a little common sense, keep up your health, and get some good training before you set out accross the Sea of Cortez or the like. As to the time factor, you can easily take several beginning and intermediate level courses, such as the ASA courses, within a few months.

Let me recommend the book "Call of the Ancient Mariner," written by Reese Palley when he was in his 80's. He points out that sailing is one of the few sports in which we experienced (mature?) men and women can participate and excell in our later years. The book also includes lots of helpful information about what's involved in making extended voyages and crossings, including proper provisioning, gear, backup systems, etc. I think you will find differences of opinions in this group regarding whether the Mac will be your best choice for extensive blue water sailing, if that's what you have in mind, and you can easily search for those discussions and review them in detail.

Jim