Am I not young enough ?

I do not want to say too old,,,Wanting to purchase a Hobie 16, I have sailed a few times on other Hobies, I was shown how to tack, raise the sails, change the traveler position, even once got to drive once (if that is the correct word) (I "drive my bass boat" ). But I am 46, is that not young enough to learn ?? I have only beach sailed, that is all I care to do.
Should I not try or give it a shot ? Or buy a new metal detector,,,,

_________________
Let me thru !

Buy a Hobie!!!!! I got my first taste in the mid 70's was never on a boat again until last year when I got mine. If I can learn to sail anybody can.

BTW 45 this year in July.

You're not old. I'm still 34 but 46 ain't too much older nowadays! Heck, 60 seems kinda youthful too.

Buy a Hobie 16 and have lots of fun - you'll come back after a day of sailing with a grin that won't go away from your face for three days. Not many places you can get this much enjoyment for so little outlay and running costs!

_________________
Anthony
88 H16 "Moonshine"

No way too young,

A guy joined our club last year that will turn 60 this year. We race with a young man in his 70's. I may go land yatching in March with a 70 year old. When advertising our 18 wing seats a guy emailed and said he "needed" them to sail. Thinking that "needing" wings was curious I asked him why, to which he replied "Because I'm 90 years old" I could only hope I live that long.

_________________
hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

46 ?

I will pick up my first catamaran in a day or two, and I will be 59 in a couple of weeks. You are just a pup, so don't be shy about anything.

Bombs away !!!

Loren

This is my third year sailing, and I turned 60 this past Wednesday. Hmmmmmmm. I guess someone forgot to tell me that I'm too old. Oh well, I can't see stopping now.

Happy Sailing,

David

Hey kissmysail. I guess it seems you're a young fella like me! Go get 'em sailor, and have lots of fun while you're there. Let us know when you've bought a boat. Everyone will help you sail better, faster and easier and will congratulate you when you tip yourself into the water!

_________________
Anthony
88 H16 "Moonshine"

Got my first boat last year and I'm 41. Within a month I was out on lake MI. and cant wait till I can get it out again.

Do it, do it now!

_________________
Give a man a fire and he stays warm for a few hours,
But set a man afire and he is warm for the rest of his life.

My dad is 52 and I taught him to sail my Hobie 14 and now he bought a 16 (that I haven't even seen) and is thinking about taking up kitesurfing.

I would say that you are the perfect age to start sailing. Old enough to have money and young enough to still be active.

_________________
Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Pappa-G Where on Lake MI do you sail out of? what state are you in?

_________________
1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

Gree,

I'd call your dad up and tell him that you that you "Love Him" before he ever goes kitesurfing. Talk about getting hurt.

In this case, perhaps the worst one can say about his life is, "I wish would have. . ." Contrarily, who has ever desired to sail a Hobie, done it, then regretted it?

One more thing - we're obsessively biased. Just sail!

I know, I have shown him some videos of kitesurfing and he knows what he is getting into but that is just him. After 52 years of abusing his body it is somehow in incredible shape. He can still outrun me and anything else he wants to do.

_________________
Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Kissmysail - It's difficult to advise you when we know so little about you. Height/weight, level of fitness.....? I'm almost 64 yrs. old & sail more now that I'm retired. We've had our H16 for 27 years & most of my sailing is now singlehanded. I ran several miles on the beach today & then ran 5 sprints. I bike often 14-45 miles & occasionally bike the 86 miles along the coast from our daughter's home in Huntington Beach to our home in San Diego. We kayak often during the summer & ski during the winter. I didn't just start being active & fit recently or even at age 46. I've been this way all my life.
Your age alone shouldn't disqualify you fron getting your first catamaran.If you have weight problems, lack of fitness, health problems, & lack of determination: then you shouldn't be encouraged to pursue this. Also - Attitude. Does trailering, rigging, sailing for several hours, de-rigging, trailering, cleaning your equipment & putting everything away sound like work or fun?
Of all the activities I participate in Sailing our H16 is by far the most enjoyable. For me it's pure joy, but It's not for everyone.
Good luck!
Richard

I have a few friends that think I am crazy for hauling my boat to the lake and then only sailing for a few hours in the cold then heading home and spending an hour taking care of stuff at home.

_________________
Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!