Designs for old codgers

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  • Andrew2
    Senior Member
    • Jul 2013
    • 2901

    #31
    Re: Designs for old codgers

    This thread is of interest to many of us, looking forward to something less demanding.
    Me, I am going from a light double ender, that requires occasional quickish reactions, to a ballasted mini cruiser. The launch will be from a piggy back trailer with winches, probably electric. So no more work than now, which is pretty easy. Cabin with comforts appeals a bit more now, even if small. Ballast even more so. When I get a bit further forward I will start a thread. Deadline is the last week in May for the Festival in Brittany.
    A2 at 69

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    • Chris249
      Senior Member
      • Jun 2013
      • 3316

      #32
      Re: Designs for old codgers

      Originally posted by John Meachen
      At our club we had a Laser racer who finally hung up his wetsuit at 86.I doubt that many of us will emulate the perseverance he had and will watch this thread with interest.
      Down here in Oz there's currently four guys aged over 70 who are recording speeds of over 35 knots (averaged over 10 seconds and using verified software) on their speed windsurfers. One sailor who is over 75 has a current top speed of over 30 knots. Obviously there's a lot of luck involved with being that fit at that age, but it's also interesting to see what can be done.

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      • Jamesh
        Senior Member
        • Aug 2011
        • 911

        #33
        Re: Designs for old codgers

        Does a foiling moth fit the bill.......

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        • keyhavenpotterer
          Senior Member
          • Nov 2007
          • 4868

          #34
          Re: Designs for old codgers

          Originally posted by Chris249
          Down here in Oz there's currently four guys aged over 70 who are recording speeds of over 35 knots (averaged over 10 seconds and using verified software) on their speed windsurfers. One sailor who is over 75 has a current top speed of over 30 knots. Obviously there's a lot of luck involved with being that fit at that age, but it's also interesting to see what can be done.
          So, just making a point of how fit I could be. Thanks. My best pal is still windsurfing, reitired to Devon, for great surfing, winsurfing. I got the short straw. Brain tumour, awake cranial surgery, 6 weeks radio and chemo to leave me as weak as a kitten. Three months recovery and finally feeling a little stronger. Even some optimism to start a thread like this. Tomorrow afternoon I see my oncologist to see if my MRI scan shows no growth or new tumour growth.

          This thread is for those of us making the best fist of it, not giving in. Please have a thought, we don't need someone coming along telling us how fit we could have been. We are looking at designs which can work when weaked by health issues, less able struggling with an arm that hardly works, hands that are too arthritic to hang onto a mainsheet. All these issues are solvable, and here we can enjoy exploring those solutions.

          Brian
          Last edited by keyhavenpotterer; 11-07-2016, 03:11 AM.

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          • tink
            Senior Member
            • Dec 2011
            • 1386

            #35
            Great idea for a thread Brian.
            I am 51 and moved onto the Streaker class because I thought it would be a good class as I got older.

            A Streaker but not me in it. Jack Holt apparently designed it as he approached his twilight years to be light weight and he was having difficulty pulling his Solo up the slip. It is stable and well mannered and has a class legal wave sail for heavier weather.

            At some point I will not be able to sail the Streaker and I do think about want I would do.
            Sticking with Jack Holt an older member of our club is still very active in a Heron

            And another one in a Gull

            Being older designs these do get a bit heavy.

            My daughter sails an Opi, and perhaps there is a opportunity to design a Opi for the older generation, perhaps a PD racer with a smaller rig, just thinking out loud.

            Anyway my spec would be on the lines of,
            Light weight
            Stable
            Reefable
            Short / Light spars
            Comfortable

            I will give this a bit more thought, as I say great thread.

            Tink



            Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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            • Edward Pearson
              Senior Member
              • Dec 2015
              • 2204

              #36
              Re: Designs for old codgers

              Andrew Wolstenholme NA has line of wheelchair motorboats. Currently being purchased by sailing clubs and Sailability. Called Wheelyboats. These are aluminium and grp but I can't see the concept not being quite suited to plywood construction, especially looking at how quick Bolger boxes and even the new powerboats from Bowdidge can go together. He could draw one up for this type of club boat motor boat affair.






              The 17ft Wheelyboat Mk.III was commissioned by the Wheelyboat Trust for use by wheelchair anglers on European rivers and lakes and is designed to meet RCD Cat.C carrying two wheelchairs and two abl…

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              • Chris249
                Senior Member
                • Jun 2013
                • 3316

                #37
                Re: Designs for old codgers

                Originally posted by keyhavenpotterer
                So, just making a point of how fit I could be. Thanks. My best pal is still windsurfing, reitired to Devon, for great surfing, winsurfing. I got the short straw. Brain tumour, awake cranial surgery, 6 weeks radio and chemo to leave me as weak as a kitten. Three months recovery and finally feeling a little stronger. Even some optimism to start a thread like this. Tomorrow afternoon I see my oncologist to see if my MRI scan shows no growth or new tumour growth.

                This thread is for those of us making the best fist of it, not giving in. Please have a thought, we don't need someone coming along telling us how fit we could have been. We are looking at designs which can work when weaked by health issues, less able struggling with an arm that hardly works, hands that are too arthritic to hang onto a mainsheet. All these issues are solvable, and here we can enjoy exploring those solutions.

                Brian
                No, not making any such point. Neither did John, who raised the topic of someone who was sailing Lasers at 86. You didn't snitch at him or a Tink, why snitch at me? If you have some issue with me, which appears to be the case, please just put me on ignore.

                I thought it was interesting that there are some surprising forms of sailing that don't make you duck under low booms, don't make you hang on to a 9mm or 6mm line but allow you to hang onto something much thicker and suited to arthritic hands, and at which you can still do well even when older and less fit. It is interesting to see how many people who are ageing are still sailing by taking the route to very light and simple gear (boards, Lasers, Hobie sailing kayaks) that gets around the issues of high trolleying weight, launching width and can be sailed (and learned) long after your fitted days have passed.

                EDIT - I'll put you on ignore so I don't annoy you by responding to anything you post.
                Last edited by Chris249; 11-07-2016, 04:12 AM.

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                • Adrian Valley
                  Senior Member
                  • Oct 2005
                  • 276

                  #38
                  Re: Designs for old codgers

                  Hi Brian,

                  I just want to express how much I really enjoy the enthusiasm you bring to this forum and the respect you show in your measured responses to some of the more shall we say unthinking comments that are posted. Keep posting, your contributions are much appreciated.

                  Chris,

                  From one Aussie to another FFS pull your head in mate.......

                  Comment

                  • Adrian Valley
                    Senior Member
                    • Oct 2005
                    • 276

                    #39
                    Re: Designs for old codgers

                    Thread drift, sorry folks.......

                    To return to normal programming, I think this topic is worth serious consideration, as I imagine the demographic on this forum probably approaches the salt and pepper years and I for one want to enjoy the water for as long as I am able. I'm sure the collective experience here could put forward a few really good ideas, so lets hear them............please.
                    Last edited by Adrian Valley; 11-07-2016, 04:47 AM.

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                    • keyhavenpotterer
                      Senior Member
                      • Nov 2007
                      • 4868

                      #40
                      Re: Designs for old codgers

                      Tink, could you def explore the oldie opi concept.

                      Water ballast might work well. Light to move, let tanks fill when launched.

                      very simple S&T quick build hull shape.

                      rig uses roll up Hobie style, Tiny Tri. Cheap alloy spars.

                      12 long sounds about right

                      sail controls and steering if possible like the Seaclipper 10. Even a tiny winch for the mainsheet.

                      Not much to ask.!

                      Brian

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                      • Adrian Valley
                        Senior Member
                        • Oct 2005
                        • 276

                        #41
                        Re: Designs for old codgers

                        Another thought here. Our local sailing club has embraced a disability sailing programme over the last few years and has been the recipient of various grants, which aim to improve accessibility to all its facilities. The club now has specific boats, a floating jetty/pontoon and a hoist to assist people in wheelchairs into boats.
                        Don't be fooled though, these upgrades have made things easier for all sailors, particularly the floating jetty.....

                        Any mileage for this in the UK?

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                        • tink
                          Senior Member
                          • Dec 2011
                          • 1386

                          #42
                          Originally posted by Adrian Valley
                          Another thought here. Our local sailing club has embraced a disability sailing programme over the last few years and has been the recipient of various grants, which aim to improve accessibility to all its facilities. The club now has specific boats, a floating jetty/pontoon and a hoist to assist people in wheelchairs into boats.
                          Don't be fooled though, these upgrades have made things easier for all sailors, particularly the floating jetty.....

                          Any mileage for this in the UK?

                          My club up in North Yorkshire is well supported by sailability and has all of the above, they sail challenger trimarans and the access dinghy which has a ballasted keel.





                          These are great boats but require third party support. In my mind there should be something between the current dinghies and the specialist sailability boats. Something that can used completely independently.

                          Tink






                          Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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                          • skaraborgcraft
                            Banned
                            • Jan 2010
                            • 12824

                            #43
                            Re: Designs for old codgers

                            Interesting topic. Im wondering what will suit someone who is no longer able to climb aboard from a capsize. Given that a heavily ballasted keel will cause mobilty/launch issues. Maybe a folding out-rigger tri is the best compromise? I did say that i would build a NED when my family skiff becomes too much of a handfull, but i look forward to seeing the stabilty of the "13" thats currently in build, but it might be a bit burdsome on a trolly. Anyone using one of those electric drive dolly wheels to pull boats around?

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                            • tink
                              Senior Member
                              • Dec 2011
                              • 1386

                              #44
                              Access dinghy is made by Hansa, (http://hansasailing.com) they have a range of boats with a 20kg weighted board.


                              Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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                              • keyhavenpotterer
                                Senior Member
                                • Nov 2007
                                • 4868

                                #45
                                Re: Designs for old codgers

                                Never quite understood why the electric dolly wheels are not used. We even have a company manufacturing them only 5 miles away.

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