Sailing While Old

I started sailing when I was very young and learned it in the natural way that kids pick up things that is more intuitive and analytical.  I also learned it in a young supple body.  Now, over half a century later the old bod is anything but supple.  I still take an intuitive and relaxed approach to sailing but I also tend to think about it more too.  No only the what and how of it all but also I can’t help pondering the why of it too.  Why sail in the time of powerboats, cars and planes.  Part of it is nostalgia and part of it is environmentally correct and interesting it’s still the most effecting way to move a moderate boat around the planet which upon reflecting upon how far we’ve come, all the way from the days of the horse & buggy to the age of jets and computers, it’s remarkable that something as antiquated as sailing can still be revilement and efficient.  Beyond that it’s also quite, relaxing and deliciously slow in these loud and high-speed times.  

Nostalgia aside, it’s a lot harder to sail in this old body of mine.  Arthritis, tendonitis, weekend muscles and a general tightening of my whole body combined with detecting eyesight, hearing and memory.  All part and parcel with growing old.  I’m just hoping that experience, patience and guile will help make up for enough of what has been lost to get by.  On the up side partying is a lot less expensive, a couple of Ibuprofen and a few Tylenols is all it takes now-a-days and it’s legal.  I really don’t know if that good or sad or both.  It is what it is, I suppose. 

I’ve also got a few tricks up my sleeve such as taping the joints that ache, I also have given up coffee which surprisingly helps night watches in that I go to sleep quicker, sleep better and wake up clearer that when I use to imbibe.  Sometimes it’s the little thing that can make all the difference, like napping.

I’ve switched to all aluminum anchors (one Spade and two Fortresses) that makes for easer ground tackle handling.  I’ve also chose a smaller, lighter boat than my last two which means much lighter sail handling loads.  Economy of scale.  So hopefully with good luck and the grace of god we’ll do ok.  That’s as much a prayer as it is a wish.