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Cruising Toward the Sunset
by Carolyn Corbett
Not only are more and more people sailing off into
the sunset these days, but many are sailing off in their
sunset years. Vern and Hope Booth are classic examples.
Throughout 10 years of cruising, they told their children
not to worry about funerals for them: one day their
77-year-old father and 72-year-old mother would decide
they'd had enough of life. They'd drink up the last
of the rum, open the through-hulls, and go down with
Muskoka. The kids could collect the insurance, knowing
their parents had gone doing what they loved. Though
Vern and Hope agree on most things, they began to picture
the boat sinking with each of them bobbing to the surface
saying, "I thought you wanted to go!"
What motivates mature mariners to forego rocking chairs
for bosun's chairs? "I had to hustle and rush all
my life. Now it's time to smell the roses. I usually
spend two hours in the morning over breakfast, at anchor,
just looking and feeling." At 71, Bill Trilling
doesn't think of himself as a senior. Maybe 10 years
from now he'll be one, he wrote from an anchorage in
Boqueron, Puerto Rico.
The joys that older folks find to outweigh the comforts
of home are those embraced by cruisers of every age:
lack of external confinements, the challenges of self-sufficiency,
the simple lifestyle, and an unlimited supply of interesting
people who share a common bond. Not to mention freedom.
Universally, these people in their seventh and eighth
decades of existence are seeking freedom.
Loss of independence
The most significant change these seasoned sailors have
observed over the years is a gradual loss of this independence.
They point to the increasing number of laws enacted
by local and federal government ~ anchoring constraints,
holding tank restrictions, taxes directed specifically
at boaters, and licensing procedures.
What other changes have occurred? The size of cruising
boats has increased, and the age of their crews has
plummeted. The median for both is in the mid-40s now,
as young professionals become disenchanted with the
rat race and take to the water. These ex-ladder-climbers
are putting a whole lot of money into high-tech boats
that feature comfort levels they've become used to ashore.
The cost of boats has risen also, with push button sails
and powered anchor windlasses showing up as standard
equipment.
A pivotal development has been the emergence of new
technology. Older sailors are uneasy with the number
of people who think that basics, such as dead reckoning
and compass fixes, are no longer necessary. They are
concerned that youngsters rely too much on the electronic
gadgetry of GPS, SSB, electronic charts, and notebook
computers with weatherfax. Though state-of-the-art sailing
makes life easier, some seniors resist the allure of
these new toys, believing failure to exercise common
sense and master fundamental skills endangers everyone
on the water.
What of the dangers of cruising? While families experience
legitimate concern at the sight of the stern of grandma
and grandpa's boat disappearing over the horizon, most
senior sailors are blessed with kin who adjust rather
well to this twist on the empty nest syndrome. Children
and grandchildren support these "ancient mariners"
in having the times of the lives.
Slightly demented
Primarily, it is peers who view these salty seniors
as somewhat demented. Stuck-in-the-mud types back are
often convinced they are sailing without a rudder. Non-boating
friends shake their heads, thinking of the risks. Jack
and Terry Roberts tried to explain the appeal of their
full-time life aboard Packet Inn. After 10 years, they
don't try anymore.
Mellow friends accept the curious lifestyle but are
not interested in visiting the boat or hearing the stories.
Five minutes after they ask about cruising, their eyes
begin to glaze over and they change the subject. Chums
who offer to assist with crossings are often rejected.
Most seniors don't need another person aboard and prefer
not to be restricted by the schedules of landlubbers.
Preparations for departing from the dock vary little
from those undertaken by cruisers who are 20, 30, or
40 years their junior. Money, mail, vehicles, insurance,
and whether to sell the house are all issues crews of
every age must address.
Personal issues are not always dealt with as easily.
Ann Jackson was not prepared when her husband, whose
health was deteriorating, decided to take early retirement
and enjoy his last years on a sailboat. The youngest
of their eight children was still in high school, and
Ann's art gallery was doing very well. Twelve years
later, Basil is still enjoying his "last years,"
the kids are doing a splendid job of running the business,
and the family is managing fine without mom and pop.
Ann has taken pleasure in handing down worldly belongings.
She's free to pursue her painting, she's alive to see
the kids appreciate their inheritance, and she no longer
has to worry about maintaining all that "stuff."
Nevertheless, the yearning for creature comforts creeps
up along with the years. Basil, at 74, has not made
any modifications to their boat to accommodate the aging
process. The adjustments have been in their approach.
Anchoring and jib handling are done together now, with
the hook dropped earlier in the day, so they can relax
over drinks.
Ann and Basil have slowly made the transition from
cruising toward more of a liveaboard lifestyle. While
they continue to make passages without additional crew,
when Quest arrives in the Bahamas, more time is spent
tied to a dock, and less is spent sailing.
The Jacksons savor the comforts of dock life ~ no more
hand laundry, warm drinks, or getting a wet backside
on every trip ashore. Though they no longer feel driven
to sail to a new destination every week, the couple
cannot imagine life beyond Quest. Surrounded by beautiful
aqua water, with good boat buddies nearby, they are
content.
Off the beaten track
Not all seniors opt for marinas, however. Many prefer
small, quiet spots off the beaten track. The younger
crowd (those in their late 60s) often tie up to a dock
only when there is no satisfactory anchorage or to perform
necessary maintenance.
Veteran sailors are attentive to upkeep, as concerned
about the well-being of their vessels as about themselves.
Most continue to do their own boat work, though they
admit their hulls seem to grow larger each year. Elma
Trilling recently worried over Bill going up their 62-foot
mast. Bill insists it had less to do with age than with
the mess he would make on the foredeck if he fell.
Physical limits
Health matters are a consideration. Arthritis flare-ups
occur following stressful situations, and last a bit
longer than in the past. Older cruisers face certain
physical limitations. While much of the short-term strength
from younger days can be relied upon in a pinch, stamina
gradually deteriorates. Yet most silver-haired sailors
find health and age are not problems. These vintage
cruisers may be in the twilight of their days, but nobody's
turned the lights out yet! They attribute their well-being
to remaining active. Hobnobbing with younger people
keeps them on their toes both mentally and physically.
Restructuring their approach to sailing helps to alleviate
potential problems. Weather is even more carefully watched
than in earlier years. If the wind is up or the forecast
bad, ripe old crews stay put. Some invite friends aboard
for overnight passages. Others cruise in the company
of a buddy boat for companionship and security.
Motorsailing or propulsion by iron jenny alone increase
with age. Older folks frequently sail with just the
roller-furling genoa alone, even when the breeze warrants
more. They're not in a big hurry and it saves having
to put another sail to bed later on. It's a shame, they
say, that youth and energy are wasted on young people!
John and Therese Roberts used to sail as much as possible.
After all, they owned a sailboat. But the Thorny Path
taught them to be M&M cruisers ~ main and motor.
The engine is powered up in the morning to raise the
anchor and idles throughout the day. If wind and wave
conditions are right, the Roberts sail. If not, they
shift Lesgo into gear and get going.
Few changes
Modifications to make sailboats senior-friendly are
few. Air conditioning, lazy-jacks, roller furling, refrigeration,
and windlasses have been installed by some. If these
alterations are indicative of age, a lot of us on the
water have one foot in the grave. However, many seniors
freely admit they will consider a "terminal trawler"
in the future, if it means the ability to remain on
the water.
High blood pressure, combined with the financial ramifications
of paying for boat repairs with the declining Canadian
dollar, forced Jean and Raymonde Perreault to call an
end to their cruising. When her husband's health deteriorated,
67-year-old Raymonde sailed them the 1,300 nautical
miles from Puerto Rico to Newport, Rhode Island, where
Jean-Ray was placed on the market.
After sailing full-time for 16 years, Reade and Sarah
Tompson sold Sarasan. A friend said, "Now that
you've sold that darned boat, guess you'll stay home
and live like normal people." What's normal, they
wonder? With wanderlust still flowing through their
veins, they bought an RV. They haven't stopped cruising.
They're just doing it in a different vehicle.
How long will the others sail into the sunset of their
golden years?
"As long as health permits."
"Maybe 20 or 30 years, till I get real old and
decrepit."
"Until lost at sea or too old to raise the mainsail."
John and Therese left on a two-to-four month shakedown
cruise to the Bahamas and forgot to come back. After
nine years in the Caribbean, they finally returned to
U.S. waters, but don't intend to give up cruising. The
magic is still there.
Ann Jackson explained, "A boat is not a confined
area. It's the whole world. Cruising gets your perspectives
in the proper order. Love . . . life . . . people. These
are God's creations for us to enjoy. And that's what
we're doing."
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